Diehl Defence and HENSOLDT Develop Software-Defined Air Defence Systems

Diehl Defence and HENSOLDT have agreed to intensify their cooperation in the field of ground-based air defence. Based on proven joint systems that are currently in production and can be delivered at short notice, the two companies intend to offer top class products for the defence against new threats. These air defence systems are software-defined and offer through the use of latest technologies defence potential even against new and emerging threats.

“We are not the only ones working to obtain a better and more up-to-date situation report. Our potential enemies also strive to increase their efficiency through faster reconnaissance and combat,” explained CEO of Diehl Defence, Helmut Rauch. It is therefore advisable at times to change your position after a firing or a volley. What is important here is the speed at which this takes place. “We work on fully automated processes and at least partially autonomous vehicles in order to be able to change positions as quickly as possible despite reduced personnel deployment. AI-supported environment perception and planning algorithms are used here”, he added.

CEO of HENSOLDT, Oliver Dörre said, “Digital technologies—keyword ‘software-defined defence’—make it more and more possible to link existing capabilities, roll out software-based modernizations and massively shorten development cycles. We combine the expertise of two high-tech companies whose products are regarded as benchmarks worldwide. With the joint development of software-defined systems, we multiply the defensive effect of air defence and thus contribute to the development of a sovereign European defence capability.”

The threats posed by air attacks are more complex and varied than they were a few years ago. While in the past mainly aircraft and helicopters were considered as greatest danger, today the range of threats has expanded considerably. In addition to cruise missiles, supersonic and hypersonic missiles and drones, ballistic missiles, in particular, have created a new difficulty for air defence. Diehl Defence and HENSOLDT strive to overcome these challenges by optimizing the interaction of the weapon systems.

Diehl Defence and HENSOLDT have been working together in the field of ground-based air defence systems for a long time. In its medium-range system (IRIS-T SLM), Diehl Defence has integrated the battle management software IBMS-FC from Airbus, as well as active and passive radars from HENSOLDT, has transferred them to series production and has already delivered them. The two companies have identified AI-based target recognition in the TRML-4D fire-control radar and the fusion of sensor data from a wide range of sources as well as AI-supported environment perception and planning algorithms and simulation techniques as first steps towards a closer cooperation and the further development of IRIS-T SLM.