The DualTech Challenge returned for its second year in person at IT²EC. In collaboration with the 6G Test Centre located at the University of Oulu, a NATO DIANA test centre, two challenge areas were outlined, calling for individuals and teams to showcase their solutions beyond the realms of the defence training sector to address real-world issues faced by today's end-users.
Last year's winner Tim Colebrooke hosted as our finalists took to the stage to present their solutions to our three esteemed judges, Vice Admiral (Retd.) Duncan Potts, Andy Fawkes and Grant Burgham and our audience in the DualTech Theatre.
We are delighted to announce that the 2025 Winner of the Challenge is Or Ben-Shabat from the Digital Combat Academy. As the winner, The Digital Combat Academy has won space at our 2026 show in London.
Submissions for the DualTech Challenge have now closed and stay tuned for next year's challenge announcement. If you are interested in getting involved please contact us here.
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Challenge areas
Advanced situational awareness and decision-making in interference-prone environments.
Advanced situational awareness relies on the real-time collection, analysis, and integration of multi-source data (e.g., sensors, 5G/6G networks, and AI). This challenge seeks to deliver practical, scalable solutions that advance decision-making capabilities and situational awareness in interference-prone environments, utilising cutting-edge technologies and innovative visualisation tools to drive efficiency and effectiveness.
This challenge focuses on:
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Detection and assessment of interference (e.g., jamming, spoofing).
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Immersive platforms supporting decision-making (e.g., virtual worlds and tele-immersion).
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The role of future autonomous systems and communication infrastructures in situational awareness.
Objectives:
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Real-Time AI-Assisted Solutions:
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Develop solutions leveraging AI and big data for real-time situational awareness, focusing on minimum viable product (MVP) principles to enable rapid prototyping and deployment.
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Implement AI-assisted network management and optimisation in immersive environments to dynamically detect and counteract interference such as jamming and spoofing.
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XR-Assisted Situational Awareness:
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Explore how extended platforms, like the metaverse, can enhance decision-making in complex operations by visualising real-time data, such as:
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6G network status (e.g., coverage, interference, cyber-attack detection).
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Network performance metrics (e.g., throughput, latency, resilience).
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Enable virtual execution of network management actions within immersive environments for enhanced responsiveness and situational control.
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Integration of Autonomous and Traditional Systems:
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Integrate autonomous systems with existing infrastructures to improve situational awareness, ensuring seamless data exchange across platforms.
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Enhance decision-making with immersive and interactive tools such as tele-immersive environments, enabling real-time evaluation of complex scenarios.
Communication and data transfer in challenging environments
Arctic conditions place unique demands on communication infrastructure, especially in military operations. This challenge seeks solutions for:
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Utilising 5G/6G technology and NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) in remote and harsh environments.
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Ensuring reliable data transfer in extreme weather and infrastructure-limited regions.
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Developing dual-use solutions benefiting both civilian and defense operations.
Objectives:
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Technology Performance:
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How can 5G/6G networks and NTN enable real-time communication and data transfer in Arctic conditions (across air, land, ice, sea), particularly in regions above 60° latitude where satellite coverage is limited?
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What multimodal, distributed, and cross-domain transmission methods can be applied to enhance communication reliability in Arctic operations?
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Operational Reliability:
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How can solutions be designed to maintain a communication range exceeding 25 km with a minimum data rate of 5 Mbps, even in low visibility or extreme weather conditions?
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What approaches can ensure operation at temperatures as low as -55°C with minimal power consumption?
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Security and Interference Resistance:
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How can waveforms resistant to detection and interference be incorporated into Arctic communication systems to enhance security?
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What strategies can ensure data transmission integrity in environments prone to jamming and environmental signal degradation?
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Innovation for Dual-Use Applications:
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What new service concepts can be developed to leverage 5G/6G technology for both civilian and defence needs in Arctic regions?
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How can these solutions be durable, cost-effective, and scalable for widespread deployment?
This challenge aims to push the boundaries of communication technology, enabling reliable, secure, and efficient data transfer across air, land, ice, and sea in some of the planet’s most unforgiving environments.
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A great experience and a great opportunity for us as small businesses to be able to be in. - Jamie Anderson, MAXRES |
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The Reward
Each finalist will receive:
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Speaking opportunity at the DualTech Theatre and opportunity to demonstrate physical products.
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Full Speaker registration (including access to the exhibition, main conference and catering)
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Prolonged exposure on the event website
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Profile in DualTech Challenge literature/website and DualTech agenda
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Associated promotion on social media channels
The IT²EC community is invited to watch the Challenge live from the DualTech Theatre hosted by Tim Colebrooke, Chief Commercial Officer, Mission Decisions and winner of last year's challenge, and representatives from the 6G Test Centre.
The Grand Prize
The DualTech Challenge winner will receive commendation and a complimentary 9sqm for your stand at IT²EC 2026.
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We got off the stage and we couldn’t thank the organisers because we couldn’t get through - Tim Colebrooke, Mission Decisions |
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