The goal of MARLIN is to develop a prototype that maintains a stable BLOS connection over at least 30 nautical miles (approx. 55 km).
- Resilience to electronic warfare: Your system must withstand active jamming and spoofing. We are looking for approaches that remain audible amid the opponent’s “noise.”
- Weather and sea state resistance: Your hardware must remain stable on moving platforms in rough seas and storms.
- High data throughput: We need bandwidth for video feeds, sensor data, and the control of complex drone swarms.
- Mobility: The system must perform equally well on ships at full speed and when stationary on land.
Radical technological openness: We won’t dictate a specific path. We’re looking for deviations from the norm. Whether you use new frequency ranges, rely on laser communication through the atmosphere, develop innovative relay concepts via drones, or utilize quantum technology—every approach is welcome, as long as it has the potential to be a true game-changer.
What matters
- Degree of innovation: We evaluate the extent to which the solution introduces new methodological approaches, technologies, or operating principles.
- Operational value: The military value for the German Navy is measured by how concretely and effectively the solution contributes to ensuring operational readiness.
- Feasibility: We will assess whether your solution is technically feasible within the challenge period.
- Team & Expertise: Do you have what it takes to see the project through to victory? Here, we assess whether the team possesses the necessary expertise, experience, and structure to successfully bring the idea to fruition.
Important to Know
Any questions?
We have compiled all the important questions and answers about the challenge here.