Cryptography developed at MERI for civilian drones

Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) and the Element Group of Companies (Element) have introduced an identifier for civilian air drones with secure data transmission for their centralized forced stopping in an emergency. This is a tracker with built-in cryptographic information protection - the software and hardware complex «Zvezda». It was developed by Molecular Electronics Research Institute (part of the Element Group of Companies, MOEX:ELMT). The solution has become part of a trusted identification platform based on the ERA-GLONASS state information system. The technology was tested for the first time in Sakhalin, and the solution was demonstrated at the Wings of Sakhalin International Forum for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

An identification device (tracker) with a built-in chip that provides cryptographic protection of information can be installed or integrated into the design of any drone. For example, if the flight boundaries are violated in the ERA-GLONASS identification system, the controlling authorities or anti-drone protection systems can use the GLONASS communication system and the built-in chip to transmit an emergency landing command to the drone. Such technology will also protect the drone from hacker attack and control interception. Such trackers are produced by "X-KEEPER" company.

"During a series of experiments, a man-in-the-middle attack scenario was simulated, in which the third party attempts to intercept or replace the control signal that transmits data to the ERA-GLONASS state information system. When we use the software and hardware complex «Zvezda», data was transmitted in encrypted form, and it was impossible to replace it," said Alexey Raikevich, General Director of GLONASS. According to him, the cryptographically protected transmission of the emergency landing command ensures that the data cannot be corrected, and it is impossible to intercept or replace the command to stop the aircraft in an emergency. The technology can be used for drones in all environments - on land, in water, and in the air.

"When using unmanned aircraft systems, it is especially important to protect the transmitted data from interception or substitution. Our solution, developed and implemented in collaboration with our partners, ensures the protection of information. It has already passed tests that confirmed its reliability. Today, the safety of unmanned aerial systems is a mandatory option and a basic standard for the design of all civilian unmanned devices," emphasizes Alexander Kravtsov, General Director of MERI.

The "red button" mechanism is a new service of the unified identification system based on ERA-GLONASS, which began operating on March 1. It will be another step towards the safe operation of unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as the integration of different types of equipment into a single airspace. In the future, the "red button" mechanism is planned to be scaled up to all types of unmanned vehicles, including unmanned trucks on federal highways.

For reference:

The software and hardware complex «Zvezda» is a unique domestic certified first-level chip. The solution architecture provides secure transmission of identification data of unmanned aerial systems, including control of the integrity and authentication of the transmitted information. The software and hardware complex «Zvezda» creates a virtual secure data transmission channel between the end devices and the management server. The key element of the complex is the NE51IoT embedded chips, which are certified by the Federal Security Service as KS3-class cryptographic modules.

Element Group of Companies (MOEX:ELMT) is a leader in the production of domestic electronic components. The Group's products are used in key sectors of the Russian economy, including healthcare, energy, transport, oil and gas industry, aircraft and shipbuilding, as well as the space industry. The Group includes more than 30 design centers and production facilities. The Group manufactures over 3,000 product types. In May 2024, Element conducted an IPO. In January 2026, AFK Sistema, which owned 37.6% of the shares, completely exited the shareholders of Element, selling its stake to Sberbank.

Molecular Electronics Research Institute (part of the Element Group of Companies, MOEX: ELMT) is a leading research center conducting fundamental and applied research in the field of microelectronics, as well as the development and production of semiconductor products. It was founded in 1964. It carries out experimental design work under programs of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, state corporations, and also conducts initiative work at its own expense. By the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation, it is designated as the organization responsible for implementing the priority area «Electronic Technologies». MERI is a resident of the special economic zone «Technopolis Moscow».