Defence innovation is no longer driven by isolated breakthroughs—it is shaped through collaboration.

With NextGen Air Control – Demo Days, a new model is emerging: startups and soldiers working side by side from the earliest stages of development. The result is faster iteration, clearer priorities, and technologies that actually work in real-world conditions.

At the center of this transformation stands a powerful group of startups. Each brings a distinct capability—but together, they form a glimpse into the future of defence.

A New Kind of Ecosystem

The strength of this initiative lies not in individual products, but in the diversity of approaches.

Wolf Radar and Raydiant RF operate at the invisible layer of the battlefield: radio frequency. Their work focuses on detecting, interpreting, and making sense of complex electromagnetic environments. In modern conflict scenarios, where signals are as critical as physical assets, this capability becomes decisive.

Omnisent and ZeroPhase push sensing further—towards perception. Whether through advanced signal processing or novel detection methods, they aim to create systems that not only collect data but understand it in context.

From Data to Decisions

Collecting data is one thing. Turning it into actionable insight is another.

This is where CDDS and SE3 Labs step in. Their focus lies on decision support, data fusion, and system integration. They work on bridging fragmented information streams and turning them into clear, usable intelligence.

In high-pressure environments, clarity is everything. A system that reduces cognitive load and highlights what truly matters can make the difference between hesitation and action.

Autonomy and Mobility

No discussion of next-generation defence is complete without autonomy.

Quantum Systems represents the cutting edge of unmanned aerial systems. Their drones are not just flying sensors—they are platforms for real-time intelligence, capable of operating in complex and contested environments.

Complementing this, Avientus explores new dimensions of aerial capability—focusing on advanced aviation concepts and scalable solutions that expand operational flexibility.

Together, they point towards a future where airspace is dynamic, adaptive, and increasingly autonomous.

Infrastructure and Enablement

Behind every advanced system lies infrastructure.

HIGHCAT and B-Hive focus on enabling technologies—platforms, architectures, and environments that allow innovation to scale. Whether through hardware integration, modular systems, or operational frameworks, they ensure that individual technologies don’t remain isolated—but become part of a larger, functional ecosystem.

This layer is often overlooked, yet it is critical. Without it, even the most advanced technology struggles to find real-world application.

The Power of Early Collaboration

What makes this group truly impactful is not just what they build—but how they build it.

Through Demo Days, these startups engage directly with soldiers. Feedback is immediate, practical, and grounded in reality. Features are challenged. Assumptions are tested. Priorities are sharpened.

This creates a feedback loop that accelerates development dramatically:

• Ideas become prototypes faster
• Prototypes become usable systems sooner
• Systems align more closely with mission needs

For startups, this means precision instead of guesswork.

For the Bundeswehr, it means visibility into emerging technologies—and the ability to shape them early.

A Shift in Mindset

The biggest change is not technological—it’s cultural.

Instead of building for the user, these startups build with the user.

Instead of long cycles of speculation, they operate in short cycles of validation.

Instead of isolated innovation, they contribute to a connected ecosystem.

Looking Ahead

NextGen Air Control is not just a program—it is a signal.

A signal that defence innovation is becoming faster, more collaborative, and more grounded in reality.

The ten startups—Wolf Radar, HIGHCAT, SE3 Labs, CDDS, Omnisent, ZeroPhase, Raydiant RF, B-Hive, Quantum Systems, and Avientus—are not just participants.

They are early indicators of what the future looks like.

A future where technology is not only advanced—but relevant.

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