Drone swarm with AI: Stark brings Virtus and Minerva to Bundeswehr exercise

The Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) is continuing its trials of the AI-supported drone swarm. Stark took part with the Virtus loitering munition and with Minerva, its command and control (C2) software.

Reconnaissance drones, command software and loitering munitions were to be combined into a reconnaissance-strike network (Aufklärungs- und Wirkverbund, AWV) – that was the focus. According to a current company press release, this is being done “to significantly shorten the time between reconnaissance and effect”. By 2027, this is to give the Bundeswehr a scalable, operational capability. From the latest series of tests, Stark concludes that the “use of such systems works reliably even in complex, realistic scenarios”.

Modular approach for the drone swarm

Stark contributes its experience in developing and producing scalable, software-defined weapon systems. Virtus follows a modular concept: it is designed to adapt quickly to different operational scenarios and integrate seamlessly into the armed forces' existing command structures.

Networked, AI-supported weapon systems are already decisive in war today— Josef Kranawetvogl, Senior Vice President at Stark

Together with partners, we are working to link reconnaissance and effect more closely and to close this capability gap quickly.— Josef Kranawetvogl, Senior Vice President at Stark

The Bundeswehr exercise underlines how important industrial partnerships and close cooperation with the armed forces are. Stark sees itself as a key partner for the rapid scaling and operational readiness of unmanned systems.