White paper: A perspective on civilian-to-defence research transfer to SDD
2026-08-10 • Software Engineering
Software EngineeringNetworking and Internet Architecture
AI summaryⓘ
The authors explain that military hardware has to last for many years, but the software and AI inside need frequent updates, creating a 'lifecycle paradox.' They propose Software-Defined Defence (SDD) as a solution, which involves combining software design, AI trust, and reliable communication to keep systems up-to-date and secure. Their approach uses a continuous development cycle inspired by civilian industries like automotive and space, but tailored to handle hostile or defense-specific conditions. The authors suggest collaboration among researchers, industry, policymakers, and defense agencies to gradually improve testing, certification, and real-world validation.
Software-Defined Defencelifecycle paradoxAI engineeringmodel-based systems engineeringDevOpstactical connectivitycertificationcontinuous assuranceedge computingadversarial testing
Authors
Rute C. Sofia, Daniel Mendez, Simon Barner, Hao Shen, Julian Woermann, Andrea Stocco, Axel von Arnim, Holger Pfeifer, Alexander Pretschner
Abstract
Military capability is increasingly determined by software. Yet defence platforms are procured on decade-long timescales, while the software and AI models they carry must evolve in days or hours. This paper calls this mismatch the lifecycle paradox, and argues it is the central problem Software-Defined Defence (SDD) must solve. SDD rests on three dimensions: software and systems engineering (design, procurement, certification), AI engineering (sovereignty and trust of learned components), and connectivity and infrastructure engineering (timely exchange of information among sensors, AI, and operators). The proposed path to resilient SDD starts from civilian technologies, addressed through a continuous, DevOps-style loop: model-based systems engineering and simulation-based testing front-load design and verification; tactical connectivity and low-power edge execution carry that design into contested operation; continuous compliance, assurance, and variability management run as cross-cutting concerns. This loop is sustainable given capabilities already proven in automotive, manufacturing, space, and energy. The next step is validating them under adversarial or defence-certified conditions, with short-, medium-, and long-term paths to closing gaps. Closing the SDD gap while preserving civic benefits is a distributed responsibility: researchers must redirect methods toward adversarial conditions; industry must expose tooling to operational needs; policymakers must shape regulatory instruments; and defence agencies must validate results with operators. Recommendations span three horizons: a short-term baseline of adversarial testing and connectivity pilots; a medium-term pipeline of incremental certification; and a long-term validation closing the loop under operational conditions.