Cyber-secure, scalable, combat-ready: SPECTRA Challenge aims to activate fresh ideas against electronic drone defense
With the SPECTRA Challenge, the Cyberagentur, the Cyber Innovation Hub of the Bundeswehr and the System Soldat innovation laboratory are using a new innovation format to find ideas for defending against electronic threats from unmanned systems. They are looking for creative approaches – from concept ideas to practical prototypes. The starting signal will be given on August 25, 2025, 12:00 noon.
Electronic warfare has long since become a key threat to unmanned systems. In order to meet these challenges, the Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit GmbH (Cyberagentur), the Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub (CIHBw) and the Soldier System Innovation Lab (InnoLabSysSdt) have joined forces in a joint innovation project: The SPECTRA Challenge calls on developers from research, the start-up scene, industry and authorities to develop new ways of detecting electronic attacks such as jamming, spoofing or signal hijacking at an early stage and effectively fending them off. The best solutions can win up to 100,000 euros in development fees.
A common approach to a complex problem
The joint innovation challenges create a new format for cross-institutional collaboration. The Cyberagentur contributes strategic foresight and research funding, the CIHBw ensures the operational perspective in the context of practical trials and contributes start-up expertise, while the InnoLabSysSdt contributes further practical testing and military validation using scientific methods. The focus is on bringing together skills and expertise to develop new solutions for the use of unmanned systems and enemy countermeasures.
“With the SPECTRA Challenge, we are combining civilian creativity, military requirements and technological development in a new way. This can not only result in a technological leap in the protection of unmanned systems, but also pave the way for many follow-up projects,” explains Prof. Dr. Christian Hummert, Research Director of the Cyberagentur.
Ideas with perspective – from sketch to use
Whether basic research, a functioning demonstrator or a system idea – SPECTRA welcomes all contributions that think outside the box. The aim is not only to promote innovation, but also to strategically initiate its path to later development and use. The Challenge aims to activate potential that would not be visible elsewhere.
“This challenge enables us to productively dovetail current needs from the troops with the implementation strength of young teams, companies and research institutions,” says Sven Weizenegger, Head of the Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub.
Directly into testing – quickly into transfer
The central component of the challenge is the joint Practice Week at the System Soldat innovation laboratory in Erding. This is where technical concepts meet military reality. Solutions can be tested, adapted and optimized for later use in simulated operational situations.
InnoLabSysSdt is about not only developing technologies, but also testing their suitability under real conditions – and thus building a bridge to the troops.
Two paths – one aim: making an impact
The challenge is divided into two parallel formats. The practical track is aimed at teams that can develop and demonstrate operational prototypes in just a few months. The moonshot track offers space for visionary early-stage ideas that pursue new approaches and question existing paradigms.
Both tracks are supported by coaching offers and direct feedback with users.
The challenge starts on August 25, 2025, at 12:00 noon, with an open application phase. On October 7 and 8, selected teams will present their ideas to a panel of experts at the Pitch Days in Erding. The ten best teams per track will then work on their solution in an intensive development phase until the end of November.
During the Practice Week from December 1 to 5, 2025, the results will be tested, demonstrated and evaluated under realistic conditions.
SPECTRA is more than just a competition. It is an open offer to anyone who wants to help shape technological security solutions – fast, realistic and application-oriented. The challenge creates space for solutions that come out of the garage – and makes them connectable for the troops, research or future procurement.
Further information and registration:
https://challenge.cyberagentur.de
https://www.cyberinnovationhub.de
https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organisation/ausruestung-baainbw/organisation/wiweb
Contact:
Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit GmbH
Große Steinstraße 19
06108 Halle (Saale)
Michael Lindner
Press spokesman
Phone: +49 151 44150 645
E-mail: presse@cyberagentur.de
| Cyber Innovation Hub der Bundeswehr BWI GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) Auf dem Steinbüchel 22 53340 Meckenheim Press contact: Arno Schupp Head of Communication & Events Phone: +49 151 54 019 664 Email: arno.schupp@bwi.de | Innovationslabor System Soldat Wehrwissenschaftliches Institut für Werk-und Betriebsstoffe (WIWeB) Institutsweg 1 85435 Erding Press contact: Press and Information Center AIN Phone: +49 261 400-12821 E-mail: pizain@bundeswehr.org |