Cyberagentur Seeks New Technologies for Navigation Warfare
The Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit GmbH (Cyberagentur), in partnership with the Bundeswehr’s Cyber and Information Space Command and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), is launching the ECHIS Challenge. The challenge seeks new technologies for detecting and specifically influencing satellite navigation. Brief proposals may be submitted through January 8, 2027.
New Approaches to Secure Satellite Navigation
The deliberate manipulation of satellite navigation signals poses a significant challenge to military operations. In so-called GNSS spoofing (spoofing of the Global Navigation Satellite System), fake satellite signals are generated that provide receivers with incorrect position or time information. This can impair the navigation of unmanned systems, the reliability of military situational awareness, and the synchronization of networked systems.
Through the ECHIS Challenge, the Cyberagentur is seeking disruptive technologies for the field of navigation warfare (NAVWAR), which involves the electronic manipulation of satellite-based navigation. The focus is on two areas of capability: the detection, characterization, and localization of adversarial GNSS manipulations, as well as the execution of the agency’s own GNSS jamming and deception measures.
The competition is open to all technologies. We are seeking innovative research approaches in the fields of sensor technology, signal processing, hardware and software development, and integrated system solutions. Individual technological components may also be submitted. The key criteria are innovation potential, operational relevance, and technical feasibility.
Up to 420,000 euros for development and innovation
Up to six selected participants or teams can further develop their concepts into functional prototypes during a funded development phase. A research and development budget of 40,000 euros is available for each project. The top three solutions will also receive innovation awards of 100,000 euros, 50,000 euros, and 30,000 euros, respectively.
In September 2027, the technologies developed will be tested under realistic conditions at a test site in Germany and subsequently evaluated.
In collaboration with the Bundeswehr and DLR
The Cyberagentur is conducting the ECHIS Challenge in collaboration with the Bundeswehr’s Cyber and Information Space Command (Kommando CIR). The competition is supported by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). This collaboration combines long-term cybersecurity research with operational requirements and practical technological testing.
Startups, companies, universities, non-university research institutions, and individuals with relevant expertise are invited to participate. The terms and conditions for participation are published on the challenge’s website— https://challenge.cyberagentur.de/echis/.
Brief proposals may be submitted in German or English by 2:00 p.m. on January 8, 2027.