Unmanned systems combined: Six Robotics and Stark agree recce-strike partnership

Stark and Six Robotics have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to link their systems for joint recce-strike operations. The Norwegian company develops autonomy and swarm software for unmanned systems.

Recce-strike means that drones for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) pass their data directly to loitering munitions, which carry out the attack. Because both types of system work together in a coordinated way, the sensor-to-shooter loop becomes much shorter. From reconnaissance through target identification and attack to battle damage assessment, only a few minutes pass – even under electronic warfare. The partners have already successfully tested a first integration phase.

For Six Robotics, this expands its network of partners; Stark, for its part, enters its first Scandinavian capability partnership since recently opening an office in Sweden. At the same time, the agreement shows what German-Norwegian defence cooperation under the bilateral Hansa Agreement, signed on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, looks like in practice.

Unmanned systems in a joint mission

Once the two systems are integrated, armed forces can conduct recce-strike missions in a coordinated manner. The cooperation also shows the role played by the Modular Open Source Architecture (MOSA): it allows capabilities to be combined across systems, manufacturers and national borders.

This partnership represents a shift in how defence capabilities are built and deployed. The decisive advantage on the modern battlefield lies in software-based interoperability. Here, autonomous systems from different nations and vendors act as one unified force. By integrating Virtus into our autonomy platform, we enable users to plan and execute joint missions in a coherent mission environment. Together with Stark, we support a resilient European defence architecture that improves NATO readiness and delivers operational effect at decisive moments.— Christian Fredrik Eggesbø, founder and CEO of Six Robotics

This partnership puts European innovation into practice to meet the urgency of modern conflict. We are combining the strengths of the best scale-ups in Norway and Germany. By integrating our systems, we are creating a sovereign, interoperable European solution that contributes to credible industrial deterrence in Northern Europe. Together, we will deliver state-of-the-art capabilities tailored to users.— Johannes Arlt, Managing Director Nordics at Stark