Sponsored by EOS
www.eos-aus.com
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31 Mar 26. STV Group a.s., a European defence technology integrator with platforms deployed in Ukraine and allied theatres, and Post-Quantum, the UK cybersecurity company, today announced successful testing of the world’s first quantum-safe drones for active deployment across allied theatres.
As allied nations adapt to warfighting defined by autonomous systems and drones, the ability to futureproof secure communications between drones and their operators is of paramount importance.
Drone swarms procured today may be stored and deployed in future operations years later. This dynamic requires drones manufactured today incorporate encryption that’s resistant to attack by both classical and quantum computers.
The collaboration combines STV’s combat-tested unmanned systems and command-and-control infrastructure with Post-Quantum’s patented post-quantum cryptography and secure radio technologies. The two companies have now successfully trialled the new approach at STV’s weapons testing facility in the Czech Republic. This is unique as STV is one of very few companies worldwide which can deploy its drone solutions directly to theatre without further certification.
The partnership introduces two industry firsts:
- A quantum-resilient drone architecture designed for contested operational environments
- The first airborne deployment of Classic McEliece, the longest-studied post-quantum public-key cryptographic algorithm, previously considered infeasible for DDIL (denied, disrupted, intermittent, limited) communications
Securing Drone Operations for the Quantum Era
Unmanned systems now play a central role in modern defence operations, supporting Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, precision strike, border security and critical infrastructure monitoring. Drone fleets are increasingly operating in swarms and multi-domain environments, placing greater demands on communications security.
In theatres such as Ukraine and the Middle East, unmanned platforms must operate under conditions that include:
- Jamming, GPS denial and signal interception
- Beyond-line-of-sight missions over degraded communications links
- Large-scale fleet command and control
- Continuous transmission of sensitive ISR data
At the same time, governments recognise that adversaries may already be collecting encrypted communications for decryption once quantum computing becomes viable. With drone platforms expected to remain operational for decades, protecting these systems against future quantum threats is becoming a near-term requirement.
Classic McEliece for Operational Deployment
Underpinning the new platform is Classic McEliece, the code‑based post‑quantum cryptographic scheme co-invented by the team at Post-Quantum.
Classic McEliece is based on the original McEliece cryptosystem with the longest unbroken security track record in public‑key cryptography. Designed conservatively and subjected to almost 50 years of cryptanalytic scrutiny without security degradation, it is widely regarded as the most robust option for scenarios where long‑term confidentiality is paramount.
The partnership’s architecture uses Classic McEliece in a targeted, mission‑aligned way by encrypting full‑motion video, imagery and flight metadata for the duration of the mission. This ensures sensitive ISR data remains confidential over the long term against Harvest Now Decrypt Later attacks.
As co-inventor of the algorithm, Post-Quantum brings specialised expertise in adapting Classic McEliece for hostile operational environments, including secure radio systems and contested electromagnetic conditions.
Post-Quantum, being the pioneer in promoting crypto agility since 2009 and the author of the IETF hybrid quantum-safe VPN protocol, is also uniquely positioned to optimise and deliver CNSA 2.0 compliant PQC requirements in the most constrained environments.
Executive Commentary
JUDr. Pavel Kudrhalt, Chief Executive Officer of STV Group, said:
“STV’s unmanned platforms operate daily in Ukraine, where drone communications are among the most contested in the world. In this environment, communications security is no longer an afterthought – the risk of an adversary intercepting or even seizing control of a drone swarm is simply unacceptable. By integrating Classic McEliece into our operational stack, we are giving our customers the strongest available future‑proof cryptography, engineered for the realities of the battlefield and ready for immediate deployment.”
Rikky Hasan, Chief Executive Officer of Post-Quantum, said:
“Classic McEliece’s large key size has long been considered too large for real world deployments, especially for airborne platforms operating in DDIL environments. We have proven that assumption wrong. Its tiny ciphertexts and ultra‑fast encryption, combined with our experience in government‑grade radio communications and electronic warfare, make it the ideal choice for protecting drone ISR against both classical and quantum attacks. This partnership is about more than cryptography – it is about delivering a complete sovereign unmanned operations system, with quantum‑resilient security built in as standard.”
Deployment Plans
The companies will begin phased integration of the quantum-resilient UAV platform across European and allied defence programmes. Additional field validation will be conducted on systems already operating in active theatres.
The architecture is designed to extend beyond aerial systems, enabling the same quantum-resilient communications layer to suppoRT. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
31 Mar 26. German defence giant Rheinmetall AG has joined forces with Boeing Australia to offer the MQ-28 Ghost Bat as a ready-made solution for Germany’s push to field collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) by 2029.
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat, developed and built in Australia, has already completed more than 150 test flights and was originally designed for the Royal Australian Air Force and allied partners.
The uncrewed aircraft is designed to operate alongside crewed fighters, acting as a force multiplier in contested airspace. Its modular design and autonomous systems allow it to take on a wide range of roles, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and strike missions.
Under the agreement, Rheinmetall will act as the system integrator for the platform in Germany. The company will oversee its integration into current and future Bundeswehr command and weapons systems, while also adapting the aircraft to meet national requirements and supporting ongoing maintenance and logistics.
Rheinmetall chief executive Armin Papperger said the partnership would allow the MQ-28 to be tailored to Germany’s needs while strengthening Europe’s defence industrial base.
“As system integrator, we can deliver integration, operation and further development from a single source, while also building industrial capability in Germany and across Europe,” he said, adding the program could generate hundreds of millions of euros in revenue.
The partnership is expected to bolster sovereign capability in Germany by ensuring secure supply chains and strong local industry involvement.
A key feature of the MQ-28 is its open, modular architecture, which allows for rapid upgrades and ongoing capability growth. Rheinmetall will also help establish a dedicated in-country digital engineering environment, enabling German and Australian engineers to jointly develop, test and validate new software and hardware enhancements. (Source: Defence Connect)
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EOS
Electro Optic Systems (EOS) is an Australian technology company with a global presence, delivering advanced solutions across defence and space. With operations in Australia, the United States, Europe, Singapore, the Middle East and New Zealand, EOS has been designing and manufacturing precision technologies for more than four decades.
In defence, EOS is a leader in remote weapon systems, with more than 2,500 delivered and proven in operational service with allied forces. The company designs, develops and manufactures highly accurate counter-drone solutions for force and asset protection. These include both kinetic and high energy laser options that defeat drone threats effectively and at a comparatively low cost per shot. In August 2025, EOS secured the world’s first export contract for a 100 kW-class high energy laser weapon, with delivery scheduled between 2025 and 2028.
In the space domain, EOS is internationally recognised for its expertise in space domain awareness and space control. Its ground-based optical systems track and characterise satellites and debris to support both defence and commercial operations worldwide. Through its New Zealand subsidiary, EOS also designs and manufactures precision optics for space and astronomy applications.
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