Software Defined Defense
Armed for the defense of tomorrow
Multi-Domain Operations (MDOs) between equal opponents will be the standard of tomorrow’s battlefield. Software-based digitalisation is the foundation of, and the key to, effective execution.
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For more than 5 years, we have had an effective process model for the digital transformation of the armed forces: the IBM Garage for Defense. It combines speed and scalability, technological expertise and specialist knowledge, user centricity and solution orientation. In a requirements workshop, we identify the needs of the various roles in your mission planning and develop solution approaches in a roadmap.
The objective
Decision-making power in a dynamic environment
The basic premise of MDO is to overextend the opponent on multiple fronts. Effectively orchestrating interacting units – both one’s own and allied units – determines the capabilities of armed forces. At its core, this means obtaining information faster, understanding it accurately and sending it to the edge device without interruption in contested, dynamic environments.
This technological supremacy necessitates software-based digitalisation of the German Armed Forces, i.e. SDD, at unprecedented speeds and scalability. Alliance-wide networking has to stand up to the enormous dynamic of operations and cyber threats, while agile and modular software development ensures speed of adaptability and functional expansion. Capable people who can securely control the flow of information thanks to support from AI and automation are needed as well.
As a long-standing digitalisation partner, we at IBM are familiar with the task of the German Armed Forces. We understand that functional solutions utilising existing resources and integrating new resources are needed now. We understand that standardised and reusable software components which can be compatibly implemented in an interoperable ecosystem are needed now. We understand that a development partnership which is innovative, fast, agile and transformative is needed now.
We understand that these things are needed in order to ultimately attain decision-making power.
Technological agility
High scalability
Efficient networking
Optimal resource utilisation
We have to become more agile and network our forces in a better way. It’s no longer a matter of having the best tanks, the best frigates or the best fighter jets – the name of the game now is networking all these capabilities with one another.
Our contribution
Solution orientation in every domain
Command
In the command domain, we support command capability – which enables the effective control and coordination of defense operations – through message handling systems and cloud technology. We help develop solutions for improving communication and information flows between decision-makers.
Effect
In the effect domain, we are oriented towards maximising the effectiveness of defensive action. We foster solutions which support state-of-the-art systems and strategic applications so as to precisely and effectively achieve operational objectives.
Reconnaissance
In the reconnaissance domain, we support the provision of precise information and real-time insight into the operating environment using state-of-the-art sensor technologies and AI-based analysis. With our developments, we support the capability of making fast and well-founded situational assessments and risk analyses.
Support
In the support domain, we assist in ensuring deployment- and combat-readiness by technically and methodically dovetailing logistics, maintenance and cooperation across systems. We are committed to optimising materiel and personnel deployment and fortifying infrastructure.
With our digitalisation portfolio, we support SDD capabilities securely, quickly and in a targeted way: Artificial intelligence increases analysis capabilities, a modular architecture integrates applications more effectively and adaptable software makes defence more robust and dynamic.
Application in practice
Experience meets innovation
We at IBM provide everything needed to foster digitalisation of the German Armed Forces and therefore to make SDD possible.
In brief overviews, we show you how we introduce innovation into existing systems and develop new ideas through collaboration in different domains – all the while adhering to all the major standards of the military.
Our technologies
Networking, automation and security
The integration of advanced technologies into both new and existing systems plays a decisive role in becoming SDD capable. IBM boast an extensive portfolio for quickly laying the foundations for networking and interoperability.
IBM Cloud Pak facilitates the flexible and automated management of applications and data across cloud environments, while VS-Cloud ensures a safeguarded data pool with corresponding role management. Container-based open-source infrastructure from Red Hat enables the required platform orchestration with both stability and speed. With edge management and standardisation from IBM and Red Hat, we are able to ensure smooth deployment down to the last edge device.
The integration of explainable AI solutions like watsonx accelerates processes and improves situation assessment, predictive capability and decision-making speed thanks to pattern recognition and data visualisation. IBM Security products like Cyber Attack Factory and Cyber Vault secure data and platforms from cyber threatsand fortify their resilience, while condition monitoring/predictive maintenance enable faster deployment readiness of combat materiel by connecting live data and logistics systems. Thanks to our global research, we are already well positioned for technologies of the future, such as quantum-safe encryption.
At IBM, our guiding principle here is to never implement technology alone. Instead, our experts develop the right solution together with the customer and partners from our network in a technology-agnostic way.
Discover out technologies in the NATO C3 Taxonomie (german only):
A trusting partnership with added value
We at IBM rely on a proven foundation.
The IBM Garage for Defense
Developing solutions for SDD
SDD can succeed when agile software development, innovative approaches and diverse perspectives come together.
With the IBM Garage for Defense, we have an effective process model for the required digital transformation of the armed forces. It combines speed and scalability, technological expertise and specialist knowledge, user centricity and solution orientation.
The IBM Garage innovation space and our team focus on your needs, bring the relevant stakeholders together and create a common understanding of the goal. By working together and using recognized methods, functional MVPs can be created within a short period of time, which create added value in a pragmatic, focused and solution-oriented manner based on available solutions from various partners.
An iterative approach and early testing pave the way for scaling what has been developed – for operational and resilient products with impact.
