Fraunhofer Segment for Defense and Security VVS
Fraunhofer IKTS develops ceramic technologies and systems for protection and security. The focus is on robust solutions for people, vehicles, and critical infrastructure, as well as for communication, monitoring, and reliable supply under demanding operating conditions. The institute contributes its expertise in structural and functional ceramics to a wide range of applications in sensor technology, high-frequency technology, ballistic protection and energy, and water supply. Its capabilities range from the development of tailored materials and components to manufacturing and integration, as well as application-oriented testing and validation.
Core Competences
Protection and Advanced Materials
Advanced ceramics and ceramic composite systems for personal, vehicle, and asset protection. The technology portfolio includes alumina, silicon carbide and boron carbide ceramics, transparent protective ceramics, additively manufactured protective components, and ceramic composite structures.
Communication and Electronic Systems
Ceramic packaging, high-frequency technology, and robust sensor technologies for communication, radar, and sensor systems. Fraunhofer IKTS develops highly integrated and robust LTCC/HTCC packages, high-frequency circuits and antennas, as well as sensor solutions for demanding operating conditions.
Water and Energy Supply
Technologies for autonomous and resilient supply in military deployment scenarios. The portfolio includes fuel cell and electrolysis systems, sodium-nickel chloride batteries, hybrid energy systems, as well as technologies for mobile water treatment, oxygen supply, and air purification.
Critical Infrastructure and Monitoring
Sensory and electronic systems for condition monitoring and early damage detection in critical infrastructure, mobile systems, and safety-critical components. These include acoustic emission sensors, optical fiber sensors, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), Structural Health Monitoring, and non-destructive testing methods, as well as solutions for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance—for example, for bridges, utility networks, and submarine cables.
Services
- Materials and component development
- Ceramic manufacturing and process technologies
- Characterization and testing under application-specific conditions
- Condition monitoring
- System integration and testing
- Prototypes and demonstrators
- Pilot testing and transition to industrial applications
