The testing took place at an arms factory in Czechia. The new platform combines drones that have already been tested in real combat conditions with innovative post-quantum encryption. The system is based on the Classic McEliece algorithm — a cryptographic method based on error-correcting codes that has long been considered one of the most secure in the world due to the lack of known practical vulnerabilities.
Until now, the use of Classic McEliece on aviation platforms has been limited by the large size of encryption keys, which created challenges for devices with limited computing resources. However, developers have managed to adapt the algorithm for operation in real flight conditions, even in situations with communication disruptions. According to Post-Quantum CEO Ricky Hassan, the tests refuted claims about the impossibility of using such large keys in aviation.
The relevance of the development is driven by the experience of modern conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East. STV Group CEO Pavel Kudrkhalt said that in conditions of intense electronic warfare, the security of data transmission channels is critical. The risk of interception of video streams, metadata or even takeover of an entire drone swarm by an adversary is unacceptable.
In addition to current threats, the system is designed to protect data from the “harvest now, decrypt later” strategy. This approach assumes that an adversary intercepts encrypted data today in order to decrypt it years later using powerful quantum computers. The new technology ensures long-term confidentiality of intelligence data.
Developers plan a phased introduction of quantum-resistant protection into allied defense programs. The system’s architecture is universal, allowing it to be scaled in the future to ground, maritime and underwater unmanned platforms. The development marks a global shift in the defense industry, where protecting information from future quantum threats is becoming as important as the physical survivability of equipment on the battlefield.