The German company STARK, known for its loitering munitions, as well as the software and hardware manufacturer IBM Germany, at the AFCEA exhibition for the first time presented the STARK Continuum powered by IBM solution, which is designed to integrate with STARK products and allows for quick and uninterrupted installation of software updates on drones that are in the combat zone.
This is reported by hartpunkt. Thanks to the new system, drones can safely install current updates without the risk of installing malicious software via external media. From Defense Express, we note that given the active cooperation of Stark with partners in Ukraine and the presence of Virtus by Stark drones in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, such a solution would be really interesting to work out in real conditions, however, this may have its own nuances.
Read more: Ukraine's Stark Virtus Drones Get AI Upgrade as Six Robotics Integration Creates Reconnaissance-Strike Loop in Minutes
In particular, it is claimed that the operation of such a drone software update system requires a connection to the Bundeswehr IT network, and the update for drones becomes available to units of the German Armed Forces after it is downloaded to servers at the disposal and under the control of Bundeswehr.
In fact, the solution developed by IBM Germany for Stark drones provides a kind of "express delivery" of updates to each individual drone, which - for security reasons - passes through the German army IT network.
So it is not yet known whether such a solution will be exclusive to the Bundeswehr or whether it will also be offered to customers in one form or another. Therefore, it is still premature to say whether such an option can be tested in Ukraine.
As hartpunkt emphasizes, the ability to update the software virtually right before launching the drone on the target significantly increases the efficiency of drone operation, when for each individual mission immediately before its execution it will be possible to install software developed separately for a particular task.
Also, the current update will be available for drones that have been in storage for a long time. However, there is one limitation – such UAVs may require not only software, but also hardware updates.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that the Virtus strike drones and Vector reconnaissance drones used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine are combined into a swarm with combat artificial intelligence
Read more: German Stark Secures Contract with NATO Country for Virtus Drones Tested in Ukraine
