Connected aviation systems require secure communication and resilient decision-making across safety-critical IoT domains. Modern aviation systems - including aircraft and drones - have become an integral part of the Internet of Things (IoT). Aircraft and Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are increasingly connected to digital infrastructures to receive system updates, obtain navigation data, exchange operational information, and integrate into collaborative airspace management systems. While this connectivity enables efficiency, automation, and new mobility services, it also expands the attack surface and exposes safety-critical systems to cyber threats and misuse. Consequently, robust secure communication mechanisms and resilient, fast decision-making procedures are essential to ensure both operational continuity and immediate reaction capabilities in emergency situations.
Our current research in this domain is conducted in close cooperation with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, focusing on the intersection of safety, security, and connectivity in aeronautical environments. Current investigations address mutual authentication and key agreement mechanisms for the L-band Digital Aeronautical Communication System (LDACS), aiming to secure next-generation digital ground-based aeronautical communications. In parallel, research contributes to Air Mobility Integration (AMI) and Urban-Space concepts, enabling the safe integration of UAVs into controlled and uncontrolled airspace while ensuring trustworthy coordination between multiple stakeholders and domains. Furthermore, safety and security aspects of UAV operations are examined holistically, recognizing that cyber incidents in aviation are inherently safety-critical and demand tightly coupled security-by-design and safety-by-design approaches.
Overall, this research positions connected aviation systems as a safety-critical extension of the IoT, where secure authentication, resilient communication architectures, and real-time response capabilities are fundamental prerequisites for trustworthy air mobility and future autonomous flight ecosystems.
More details are available here:
- Mutual authentication and key agreement methods for the digital aeronautical ground-based communication system L-band Digital Aeronautical Communication System (LDACS)
- Air Mobility Integration U-Space
- Safety and security aspects for Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAV) operations
Photos: © SeCoSys/Schmitt