The demonstration, conducted at the Fallschirmplatz of WTD 61 (the Bundeswehr’s Technical Centre for Aircraft and Aeronautical Equipment), showcased the potential of this innovative concept. During the exercise, an ARX Gereon unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) positioned a Drone-Port, from which a Vector drone, developed by Quantum Systems, was launched for a reconnaissance mission. Upon completing its task, the aerial drone safely returned and landed on the Drone-Port.
This successful demonstration marks the beginning of a new era in drone technology. The ability to integrate uncrewed ground and aerial platforms offers significant operational advantages for military applications. By extending the operational range of reconnaissance drones and reducing the risks to drone operators, UMUM-T enhances the effectiveness and safety of military missions.
The potential of such software-driven, AI-supported systems is immense, especially in light of increasingly shorter development cycles in drone technology. The Bundeswehr’s drones are already employed across a wide spectrum of operations, whether on land, in water, or in the air. The importance of these systems continues to grow exponentially, and software-defined systems are crucial for keeping pace with this rapid evolution.
Although the concept of combining ground and aerial platforms is still under development, the successful proof of concept demonstrates the value of this approach. The 91st Jäger Battalion, a potential user of the technology, witnessed the demonstration and was able to assess the benefits of UMUM-T firsthand.
