Software solutions that control complex and mission-critical processes in real time are at the heart of modern unmanned systems. But what happens when a state-of-the-art unmanned aerial vehicle delivers cutting-edge performance, yet the associated control environment must be absolutely fail-safe, flexible, and seamlessly interoperable? The project surrounding BM Defence and Security AG’s Ghost 150 unmanned aerial system faced this challenging task. The Ghost 150 is a groundbreaking platform whose central control element—the Ground Control Station (GCS)—requires highly specialized software. This is where new direction GmbH came into play—and together, we took a major step forward.

System Context

The Ghost 150 is an unmanned aerial system in the 150-kilogram class. According to manufacturer specifications from BM Defence and Security AG, it has an endurance of up to 15 hours and a GCS range of 200 kilometers. The platform is modularly designed to accommodate various payloads, ranging from reconnaissance sensors to effectors.

The Problem

The requirements placed on us were clear and ambitious. The ground control station, serving as the central interface between the operator and the aircraft, had to guarantee absolute stability and availability in order to process telemetry data, payload control, and situational awareness reliably and in real time. At the same time, it was crucial to design the control environment to be future-proof and expandable so that it could respond flexibly to different mission profiles and changing payloads.

An additional focus was on compliance with established international interoperability standards. In addition to in-depth technical expertise in real-time software development, structured test strategies, comprehensive requirements management, and precise quality and safety analyses were required—requirements that align perfectly with our methodical and pragmatic approach at new direction GmbH.

The Solution

The successful collaboration in developing the control environment is based on three pillars: standardized interoperability, agile quality management, and a robust real-time architecture.

Standardized Interoperability and Rigorous Safety Analyses

The STANAG 4586 standard was implemented as the central reference framework for interoperability. This ensures that the ground control station can communicate seamlessly with other systems and exchange data. In addition, we conducted in-depth security analyses and comprehensive threat modeling. As a result, the system is not only highly compatible but also resilient and protected against external influences and threats.

Structured Requirements and Configuration Management

To manage the high complexity of the modular platform, we rely on seamless requirements management with full traceability. Every function and every customization of the control environment is transparently documented from the requirement all the way to the final code release. Combined with professional configuration and version management, all project participants maintain a complete overview of the development status at all times.

Real-Time Processing and Reliable Test Strategies

Processing real-time telemetry and precisely controlling the payload require software of the highest robustness. By employing structured and automated test strategies, we continuously ensure the quality of the control environment. Sources of error are proactively minimized, providing field operators with a highly reliable, user-friendly, and intuitive situational overview.

Added Value

Our involvement has transformed the Ghost 150’s ground control station into a future-proof, robust, and highly functional control environment. Through the consistent implementation of the STANAG 4586 standard, the entire system is fully interoperable and ready for flexible deployment in complex scenarios. The combination of precise requirements management and proactive security analyses ensures maximum reliability for BM Defence and Security AG, as well as easy scalability for future payloads and requirements.

At new direction GmbH, we implement these and similar solutions quickly and reliably. If you have any questions or specific requests, please feel free to contact us directly.