How can drones and autonomous systems be responsibly integrated into civilian and military spaces? What roles can Switzerland play in the international race to shape the future airspace? And what is needed to ensure that technological advancement is safe, secure and sustainable?

These were the key questions at the 21st FSS Security Talk hosted by the Swiss Security Forum (FSS) held in Bern on April 29. The event brought together, experts from academia, industry, government, and the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) to discuss the rapid evolution of drone technologies and their societal impact. Among the speakers: Prof. Dr. Michel Guillaume, Project Lead of LINA and Head of the Centre for Aviation at ZHAW.

Drones have become indispensable across a wide range of applications, and their potential continues to grow, from agriculture and next-generation mobility to civil protection and humanitarian aid. The symposium offered insights into current developments from both military and civilian perspectives highlighting new fields of application, regulatory and security challenges, and the crucial role of resilient infrastructure. In his keynote, Prof. Dr. Michel Guillaume underscored the complexity of integrating unmanned aerial systems into existing airspaces. Growing air traffic, emerging autonomous technologies and increasingly strict regulations demand rigorous safety protocols, robust communication frameworks, and advanced systems integrations. To manage this transition responsibly, he argued, we need time, expertise, and above all, real-world testing and development environments. Guillaume stressed: “Without testing, Switzerland and Europe risk falling behind in technological capability.”

The subsequent panel discussion further emphasized the challenges and opportunities associated with unmanned and autonomous systems. From communication and connectivity to risk assessment and artificial intelligence, the integration of these technologies raises complex questions—yet holds enormous potential for innovation.

The subsequent panel discussion emphasized the operational and strategic dimensions of deploying unmanned and autonomous systems, highlighting both the challenges and emerging opportunities across sectors. From communication and connectivity to risk assessment and artificial intelligence, the integration of these technologies raises complex questions—yet holds enormous potential for innovation.

The 21st FSS Security Forum underscored again: to shape the future of unmanned autonomous systems, we must think across disciplines, act collaboratively, and focus on practical, real-world solutions. This is exactly where LINA positions itself—as a platform for knowledge exchange, development, and testing of autonomous technologies for their safe civilian use.

Impressions from the 21st FSS Security Talk in Bern (Photos: Patrick Besch):