Rheinmetall and Hensoldt demonstrate the successful integration of passive sensor technology
During the German Air Force’s Timber Express 2026 exercise held in Manching, Rheinmetall Air Defence and Hensoldt reached a significant milestone in advancing future networked air defense capabilities. This exercise showcased the successful integration of sensor data generated by Hensoldt’s Twinvis passive radar into Rheinmetall’s Skymaster command and weapon engagement system, which was actively controlling the Skynex Air Defence battery deployed in the scenario.
The integration was executed under realistic NATO networking conditions, highlighting the impressive flexibility and open architecture of the Skymaster system. A unified air picture emerged through the fusion and correlation of sensor data facilitated by NATO’s Link 16 network. The performance of Hensoldt’s passive radar proved exceptional in its ability to detect and track various air targets, underscoring the operational value of cutting-edge passive sensor technology in air defense. The Twinvis radar utilizes the latest digital technology, serving both wide-area military airspace surveillance and civil air traffic control.
Of particular importance is Skymaster’s unique capability to integrate both active and passive radar sensors alongside electro-optical sensors to create a comprehensive air picture within the air defense network. This integration paves the way for innovative, low-emission air surveillance strategies that align with modern emissions control strategies (EMCON). It simultaneously enhances situational awareness crucial for safeguarding valuable infrastructure, critical installations, and mobile military units.
This demonstration underscores the potential of distributed and interconnected sensor networks, illustrating how passive sensor technologies can effectively augment and complement existing air defense systems. Additionally, utilizing passive systems enhances overall network survivability by eliminating distinctive identification markers. The results from this exercise lay a solid groundwork for future integrations with stationary Skynex systems, mobile Skyranger solutions, and advanced counter-UAS systems such as the Skyspotter.
The successful execution of this trial was made possible through the collaborative efforts of various German Air Force organizations, the exercise management team, and the expert teams from Rheinmetall Air Defence and Hensoldt. Together, they achieved a high-quality NATO-compatible integration within a demanding technical environment, contributing significantly to the ongoing development of modern integrated air defense capabilities.
