News
You can find an overview of all notifications about the innovation spaces DDPS here.
Increased efficiency of training: ISSYS app for helicopter crews
Helicopter pilots undergo comprehensive training over several years. Here, they learn how to use the ISSYS self-protection system, which warns the crew in the event of enemy radar reconnaissance and attacks with surface-to-air missiles. A tablet-based ISSYS simulator developed in the DDPS innovation spaces contributes to the digitalisation and effectiveness of this training. Find out here how a digital solution increases efficiency and saves valuable resources.Lucas Ballerstedt, Communications Staff, armasuisse Science and Technology
Future-proof through increase in resilience: Two innovation expeditions for pilots
In July 2025, armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T) conducted two innovation expeditions within the DDPS innovation spaces, together with the Swiss Air Force Aeromedical Centre. The focus of both expeditions was to increase the resilience as well as the operative performance of the pilots. As part of these ongoing Science and Technology innovation expeditions, new approaches are being specifically tested to improve the cognitive and physical resilience of pilots in the long-term.Jens Rehanek, Research and Innovation, armasuisse Science and Technology
HEDI: First operative testing with Swiss participation
On 2 June 2025, the go-ahead was given for the first Operational Experimentation campaign as part of the Hub for EU Defence Innovation of the European Defence Agency at EU level. Switzerland took part in the informative Operational Experimentation campaign with a delegation consisting of two representatives from Defence as well as the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse.Anela Ziko and Moana Häfeli, Staff, armasuisse Science and Technology
SCOUT 25
At the “Scout 25” technical symposium, armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T) and the Land Forces of the Swiss Armed Forces will offer insights into modern battlefield reconnaissance and countermeasures. The programme includes keynote presentations from armasuisse, the Swiss Armed Forces and the European Defence Agency (EDA) as well as short presentations by figures from industry. There will also be an exhibition held at the Military Training Area in Thun with more than 60 stands and 18 live technology demonstrations from industry and academia.
LCTE EW: reusing rapier components for training purposes
Short The Rapier air defense system, introduced into the Swiss Army in the 1980s, has gradually lost its military significance. With the 2020 Armed Forces message, Parliament decided to decommission the system. Instead of completely phasing it out, it was decided to reuse parts of the system for training purposes. As part of the DDPS innovation spaces, armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T), under the direction of Jens Rehanek, developed the innovation expedition Low Cost Trainings Emitter Electronic Warfare (LCTE EW). At its core is the Rapier system’s search radar, which will simulate ground-based threats during training flights and thereby enhance the training of fighter jet and helicopter crews. The LCTE EW promises significant cost savings compared to commercial alternatives and is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2025.
Idea competition for environmentally friendly and safe recovery methods of ammunition from Swiss lakes – armasuisse has received around 100 ideas
6 February 2025 was the deadline for submitting ideas for environmentally friendly and safe methods of recovering ammunition from Swiss lakes. A committee of experts will now assess all the proposals received. The three best ideas will be awarded prizes in May 2025.
armasuisse launches idea competition for environmentally friendly and safe recovery methods of ammunition from Swiss waters
The Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse is seeking new procedures for the environmentally friendly and safe recovery of ammunition from Swiss waters by means of an idea competition.
Innovating together to ensure security: HEDI and DIANA
Innovations have long been a part of defence and accordingly are being increasingly promoted. Two international initiatives in the area of defence innovation are particularly worthy of mention.
Automatic readout procedure of weapon serial numbers: Finding a solution together with the innovation space sandbox
Within the innovation space sandbox for the Armed Forces Logistics Centre Thun (ALC-T) of the Armed Forces Logistics Organisation (AFLO) solutions were sought for scanning weapon serial numbers in cooperation with armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T).
Acoustic analysis of ballistic protective plates
Ballistic protective plates constitute an important element for the personal security of the Swiss Armed Forces.
Time synchronisation in the command and control network
With an increasing number of distributed sensors and their networking, the availability of a secure and precise time base also gains in importance.
