What are the current challenges in the market for the production of solutions in the field of drone detection and defence?
Jochen Geiser: One of the biggest challenges is the enormous dynamism in the civil drone market. New drone models with low signatures, high autonomy and complex flight behaviour appear almost every month. At the same time, regulatory requirements for the permissibility and traceability of detection and defence measures are increasing – especially in critical infrastructures. Added to this are external factors such as component shortages and geopolitical uncertainties that affect supply chains.
How are you addressing these challenges and what makes your solutions special?
Gerd Kupferer: Our answer lies in modularity, interoperability and genuine system openness. We are developing a networked security ecosystem that is scalable – from factory premises to urban areas. What sets us apart is that all components used, whether radar sensors, radio direction finders or countermeasures, are intelligently linked and evaluated depending on the situation. And all this with a clear user interface so that humans never lose track of the big picture when making decisions.
Your multilayer C-UAS system with AI fusion engine sounds innovative. What makes it special compared to competing products?
Jochen Geiser: For us, the multilayer approach means not only combining different sensors and effectors, but also intelligent weighting and analysis by our AI-supported Fusion Engine: The individual systems merge to form a perfectly coordinated overall system and determine the best possible and safest protection and defence measures depending on the threat situation. This enables us to drastically reduce false alarms while significantly improving the classification of threat scenarios.
Another difference is that our systems are entirely ‘Made in Germany,’ which is a decisive factor for many of our customers in security-critical environments – both technically and in terms of regulations.
The heart of your drone security system is the SecuriDrone Perimeter Management System. What exactly is it?
Gerd Kupferer: The SecuriDrone Perimeter Management System is more than just a situation awareness system. It is our central nervous system and represents a new generation of user-friendly, high-performance security controls. This is where all data streams converge and are analysed in real time.
Its ease of use is particularly unique: the interface is intuitively designed so that even complex multi-sensor situations can be quickly identified and controlled – regardless of whether they occur at one or multiple locations. In addition, the system is completely independent – our solution can be flexibly combined with a wide variety of sensors and effectors. The system is particularly powerful thanks to our AI-based load balancing: multiple threat scenarios, such as parallel drone attacks, can be prioritised and defended against simultaneously – for maximum efficiency and response speed in real time.
AI has become an integral part of the drone sector. To what extent is AI used in your products?
Jochen Geiser: We primarily use AI for pattern recognition, object classification and automated decision support. This starts with detection – for example, distinguishing between birds and drones, but also between friend and foe – and extends to situation-specific recommendations for defensive measures. In addition, we rely on learning systems that become more intelligent with every new threat. Of course, this is always done in compliance with data protection and regulatory requirements.
The market for drone applications is currently developing rapidly. Are you already working on new products?
Gerd Kupferer: Absolutely. We are seeing strong demand for flexible, mobile solutions – especially for temporary use at large events, in critical situations or to protect particularly sensitive areas. We are currently working on a mobile C-UAS unit based on a Raptor pickup truck. The vehicle serves as a highly mobile platform and can be equipped with various sensors and effectors depending on the threat situation and deployment scenario. This enables us to set up effective drone defence at any location within a very short time – without long lead times and with maximum operational flexibility.
At the same time, we are investing heavily in robotics-based security solutions – such as autonomous patrol vehicles that can communicate seamlessly with our drone detection systems. The boundaries between ground and airspace security are becoming increasingly blurred.
After the great success of XPONENTIAL Europe 2025, are you planning to come back to Düsseldorf next year?
Jochen Geiser: XPONENTIAL Europe is an important platform for engaging in dialogue with customers, partners and innovators from all over Europe. The professional exchange on an equal footing is unique – and that is exactly what we need to consistently develop our solutions further.
Interview: Sonja Buske
