Norwegian supplier of software for autonomous and swarm control of unmanned systems Six Robotics will become the first Scandinavian partner of German defense company Stark, after the latter opened its first office in Sweden. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding aiming for further Six Robotics software integration to create a reconnaissance-strike loop involving drones from Stark.
Hartpunkt reports this, noting the companies have already successfully passed the first stage of system integration, specifically involving combining reconnaissance drones with loitering munitions.
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The result creates capability where in several minutes one can reconnoiter and identify a target, direct strike drones there, and after engagement conduct objective control.
This partnership is a shift in approaches to creating and deploying defense capabilities, noted Six Robotics founder and CEO Christian Fredrik Eggesbø, emphasizing that specifically software compatibility will have decisive significance on the modern battlefield.
Recall that Ukraine's Defense Forces use Virtus drones from Stark, and in February this year it became known this German company is building production of its drones in Ukraine to adapt them even faster to modern war.
As of today, at least relying on Stark company's official website, Virtus loitering munition is the only drone in their portfolio, so it remains unknown which specifically reconnaissance drones were used during tests with Six Robotics software.
By dimensions, Virtus loitering munition has 1.8 m length and wingspan, can carry 5 kg payload.
Deployment time is less than 10 minutes. Flight duration is one and a half hours, range over 130 km. Can develop cruise speed over 120 km/h and dive on target at speed over 250 km/h. Operating altitude 2,000 m.
However, it should be noted Virtus drones have quite considerable price tag at as much as €122,000, which can be explained by this being high-tech development with artificial intelligence integration.
Previously, Defense Express reported what else besides anti-drone interceptors and electronic warfare interested the U.S. about Ukraine in intercepting Shaheds.
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