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Software Defined Defence

Software-defined Defence

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Software-defined Defence

Re-thinking defence

Modern operational command is shaped by software – speed, adaptability and interoperability determine success or defeat. Classical hardware alone is no longer sufficient.

Software-defined Defence (SDD) makes armed forces agile, sovereign and future-proof – and secures the decisive edge on the battlefield.

Pioneering Software-Defined Defence

Agility, interoperability and sovereignty on the battlefield
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When defence is rethought: Software-Defined Defence

Software-defined Defence (SDD) is the guiding concept of the digital transformation of modern armed forces. It describes the approach of delivering military capabilities primarily through flexible, software-based systems instead of rigid, hardware-bound platforms. The objective is to enable operational systems to be adapted by software at any time to new threats, technologies and mission profiles.

This is achieved by open architectures, modular software components and continuous development cycles that shorten modernization processes from years to weeks. As a result, capabilities can be expanded during operations, sensors and effectors can be networked across domains, and systems maintained at the current technological state over the long term – enabling higher response speed, reduced dependencies and sustainable operational readiness.

The term Software-defined Defence originates from the initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Defence and the Cyber and Information Space organisational domain (CIR) which defined SDD as a key principle for interoperability, agility and technological sovereignty in multinational operations.

Core requirements:

Modularity: An open software architecture enables flexible extension and adaptation of existing systems – from sensor to command application.

Interoperability: Standardised interfaces and common data models ensure compatibility between NATO, EU and national systems and shorten integration times.

Agility: Through DevSecOps methods, containerised microservices and automated deployment processes, new functions can be provided within a few days.

Security: Zero-trust architecture, cryptography and continuous monitoring guarantee protection, traceability and integrity in all operational environments.

Digital sovereignty: Own software architectures, controlled development environments and European value chains ensure technological independence and trusted system integration.

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Why SDD matters

Five answers to the most important questions about HENSOLDT’s approach to Software-Defined Defence

In modern conflicts, networking determines victory or defeat. SDD enables sensors and platforms to be connected across domains and national boundaries. Open architectures and intelligent data fusion create a unified situational picture and make Multi-Domain Operations operationally effective.

Especially in multinational missions this capability is crucial: Only when sensors, effectors, platforms and command centres speak the same language does freedom of action emerge. HENSOLDT provides the foundation with the software suite MDOcore so that alliance partners can use a common situational picture in real time and act in a coordinated manner.

Sven Heursch Portrait 4
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Our mission

Sven Heursch Head of SDD and Digitalisation at HENSOLDT

Hardware wins battles – but software decides wars. With Software-defined Defence we ensure that armed forces can flexibly adapt their systems during operations, network sensors and effectors and maintain information dominance on the battlefield.

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CESMO real world

HENSOLDT’s SDD ecosystem

Open architectures, modular software, sovereign integration

MDOcore

HENSOLDT’s software suite for Multi-Domain Operations. It links sensors, effectors and command means across all domains – land, air, sea, cyber and space.
Our expertise

Our expertise

HENSOLDT leads across the full spectrum of modern sensor systems and thus has exclusive access to sensor data as well as decades of expertise in its processing.

HENSOLDT masters modern software development: agile, scalable and organised according to the SAFe framework with proven release trains – successful and tested for years.

HENSOLDT builds on solid expertise in data science and AI – from algorithm research to real-time system integration, driven by its own specialists in engineering, computer science and physics.

HENSOLDT possesses proprietary software architectures and deep-seated integration competence – backed by decades of experience in safety-critical systems and numerous international patents in sensor, software and data processing domains.

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