Integration of Passive Sensor Technology into Modern Air Defence System

Integrated sensor technology Integration of Passive Sensor Technology into Modern Air Defence System

2026-08-28 Source: Press release Rheinmetall AG | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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Rheinmetall and Hensoldt have successfully demonstrated the integration of passive sensor technology into a modern, networked air defence system under realistic NATO networking conditions.

Rheinmetall and Hensoldt have reached a milestone for the future of networked air defence. During the Timber Express 2026 exercise of the German Air Force, the air picture generated by Hensoldt’s Twinvis passive radar was successfully integrated into Rheinmetall’s Skymaster command and weapon engagement system. The Skymaster system controlled the Skynex air defence battery deployed in the scenario.

The integration took place under realistic NATO networking conditions and demonstrated the high flexibility and open architecture of the Skymaster system. By fusing and correlating sensor data within NATO’s Link 16 network, a common air picture was generated. Hensoldt’s passive radar impressed with its excellent performance in detecting and tracking airborne targets. This confirms the high operational value of modern passive sensor technology for air defence. Twinvis is a passive radar based on the latest digital technology that can be used for wide-area military airspace surveillance or civilian air traffic control.

Of particular importance is Skymaster’s ability to combine active and passive radar sensors as well as electro-optical sensors into a comprehensive operational picture within the air defence network. This opens up new possibilities for resilient and low-emission air picture generation in line with a modern emissions control (EMCON) strategy, while also improving situational awareness for the protection of high-value infrastructure, critical facilities and mobile military formations.

The demonstration underlines the future viability of distributed and networked sensor networks and shows how passive sensor technologies can meaningfully expand and complement existing air defence systems. In addition, passive systems improve network survivability through the absence of an emissions signature. The insights gained provide an excellent basis for integration into stationary Skynex systems, mobile Skyranger solutions and modern counter-UAS systems such as the Sky-Spotter system.

The success of this trial was made possible by the close and constructive cooperation between the organisations involved from the German Air Force, the exercise leadership and the expert teams from Rheinmetall Air Defence and Hensoldt. Together, they succeeded in implementing a high-quality NATO-compatible integration even in a demanding technical environment, thereby making an important contribution to the further development of modern integrated air defence capabilities.

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