Six finalist teams ahead of the practical test
The MARLIN Challenge, organized by the Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit GmbH (Cyberagentur) and the Naval Command, has reached its next milestone. Six teams are developing innovative solutions for maritime communication designed to function even if conventional systems fail. From December 7 to 11, 2026, the Cyberagentur and the Naval Command will test the technologies for interference-resistant communication at sea for the first time under realistic conditions in Eckernförde.
Six teams are developing new communication solutions
How can naval units communicate with one another when conventional radio and satellite connections are disrupted or fail completely? The six finalist teams in the MARLIN Challenge are tackling this challenge. Since August 2026, Astrolight UAB, VisionSpace Technologies GmbH, SAILWINT GmbH, Sirius Computer Germany UG, Rueb Holding UG, and Lemvos GmbH have been working on their technological approaches. Their concepts had previously impressed the expert jury, qualifying them to test their ideas.
The aim of the challenge is to identify innovative communication methods that enable reliable data transmission even under extreme maritime operating conditions. The focus is on disruptive technologies that go beyond existing technical standards and open up new possibilities for maritime operations.
First test on the wintry Baltic Sea
The first interim experiments are scheduled to take place at the Eckernförde Naval Base from December 7 to 11, 2026. As part of the Operational Experimentation (OPEX) FCSS 2026, which features the “Jamming and Detection” scenario, the teams will have to demonstrate their ideas for the first time under realistic conditions.
The technical challenge lies in transmitting information over so-called beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) distances. This refers to communication links that extend beyond the direct line of sight. At the same time, the proposed solutions must be able to withstand simulated enemy jamming. Changing weather conditions and rough seas on the Baltic Sea in winter place even greater demands on the systems’ resilience.
The interim experiments serve to assess the current technical status. They enable the teams to test the effectiveness of their theoretical approaches, identify weaknesses, and optimize their ideas in a targeted manner. The insights gained are immediately incorporated into the final development phase.
Final decision in February 2027
The ability to communicate securely is an essential prerequisite for the command and operational capabilities of maritime units. This is particularly true when communication links are disrupted and for the interoperability of manned and unmanned systems. MARLIN therefore combines research into technologically risky approaches with the Navy’s specific operational requirements.
In February 2027, the Challenge will reach its climax with the final Demo Week. At that time, the further-developed solutions will once again be tested under realistic conditions. A high-profile panel of judges will evaluate the demonstrators, focusing in particular on their disruptive innovation potential, technical robustness, and practical suitability.
Based on the results, the winning solution of the MARLIN Challenge will be determined. The trials are also intended to provide insights into the potential of novel communication technologies for future maritime applications.