Rheinmetall Air Defence and Hensoldt have demonstrated the successful integration of passive sensor technology into a modern networked air defence system during the German Air Force exercise Timber Express 2026 in Manching.
During the exercise, the air picture generated by Hensoldt’s Twinvis passive radar was successfully integrated into Rheinmetall’s Skymaster command and weapon engagement system. Skymaster was directing a Skynex air defence battery deployed as part of the exercise scenario.
The integration was conducted under realistic NATO networking conditions and demonstrated the flexibility and open architecture of the Skymaster system. Sensor data was fused and correlated within NATO’s Link 16 network to generate a common air picture.
Hensoldt’s Twinvis passive radar demonstrated its ability to detect and track air targets during the exercise. Twinvis is a passive radar based on digital technology and can be used for wide-area military airspace surveillance as well as civil air traffic control.
Skymaster can combine active and passive radar sensors with electro-optical sensors to create a comprehensive air picture within an air defence network. This provides opportunities for resilient, low-emission air surveillance in line with emissions control strategies, while supporting situational awareness for the protection of high-value infrastructure, critical facilities and mobile military units.
The demonstration also highlighted the potential of distributed and interconnected sensor networks and showed how passive sensor technologies can extend and complement existing air defence systems. The absence of a distinctive emission from passive systems can also increase network survivability.
The results provide a foundation for potential integration into stationary Skynex systems, mobile Skyranger solutions and counter-UAS systems such as Skyspotter.
The trial was conducted through cooperation between participating German Air Force organisations, the exercise management team and specialist teams from Rheinmetall Air Defence and Hensoldt. The participants achieved a NATO-compatible integration in a challenging technical environment, supporting the continued development of integrated air defence capabilities.
