Clavister and BAE Systems wins Vinnova funding for R&D of AI in combat vehicles

Land May 31, 2021

Clavister has been awarded Vinnova funding which will lead to development of its Cyber Armour product suite.

Responding to the Vinnova call for ‘Cybersecurity for advanced industrial digitalisation’ as part of a consortium including key partner BAE Systems Hägglunds, the 12-month project will see R&D into advanced AI-based combat vehicle cyberattack detection.

As combat vehicles become ever-more connected, the potential for attacks increases placing vehicles and their nations at risk. Clavister will build on its innovative Cyber Amour portfolio, researching AI-based methods for preventing attacks and detecting anomalies in communication patterns in-between vehicle components, regardless of whether taking place over internet protocol (IP) or CAN bus, which can be a red flag of a cyberattack.

Alongside Clavister and BAE Systems Hägglunds, the consortium also consists of Omen Technologies, a cybersecurity startup which focuses on cybersecurity for connected vehicles through AI, and Bron Innovation, a Swedish regional IT cluster and innovation hub.

The four organisations will collaborate to demonstrate that modern research-based data-driven techniques can be practically used to equip connected vehicles with efficient means of identifying malicious attempts at taking control of the vehicle maneuvers or stealing sensitive data. The Vinnova funding of the project amounts to approximately 4 MSEK.

John Vestberg, CEO at Clavister said: “We’re delighted to receive the Vinnova funding grant. With vehicles collecting, processing, and producing ever-more data, they are becoming datacentres on wheels. And, in a future likely filled with autonomous self-driving technology, cyberattacks on both combat, commercial and consumer vehicles will result in dire consequences. While this research is taking place in Sweden – and we’re proud to showcase the nation’s incredible capacity for innovation – the AI capabilities we develop will have an impact across the globe.”

Clavister recently announced that it is working with BAE Systems Hägglunds to embed its NATO compliant RSG-400 security gateway and RSW-400 secure network switch into a Western European military organisation fleet of CV90s (combat vehicles 90) as part of a mid-life upgrade. The project has since moved into pre-production.