HENSOLDT and ERA Announce Strategic Collaboration for Passive Advanced Air Surveillance and Air Defence Solutions
Leading sensor solution provider HENSOLDT and ERA, a pioneering company specializing in Air Traffic Control (ATC) and passive surveillance systems for air surveillance, air defence, and electronic warfare, have announced their strategic partnership to advance air surveillance and defence capabilities. This collaboration is a response to insights gained from recent conflicts in Europe, underscoring the need for cutting-edge technologies to enhance national and European security.
The primary objective of this partnership is to jointly offer the Passive Surveillance System VERA-NG to the German Luftwaffe. HENSOLDT and ERA will combine their expertise to develop an integrated infrastructure solution based on the state-of-the-art VERA-NG system and HENSOLDT’s Passive Radar Twinvis technology. This entails the merging of passive technologies: Passive ESM Tracker (VERA-NG by ERA) and Passive Coherent Locator (Twinvis by HENSOLDT). Data from both systems can be integrated to create a comprehensive air picture.
The two technologies complement each other effectively. While VERA-NG detects active emissions from distant targets of interest, Twinvis functions at a shorter range without requiring signals emitted by the targets. Through this synergy, a fully passive air picture can be formed. This approach promises an unparalleled level of passive surveillance capability, significantly contributing to future air surveillance and defence systems.
The VERA-NG system is acclaimed for its real-time surveillance and reconnaissance excellence in the air, maritime, and land domains, boasting a track record of proven references for NATO and ally countries.
Markus Rothmaier, Head of Naval & Ground Radars at HENSOLDT, stated, “As leaders in our respective fields, HENSOLDT and ERA are committed to providing innovative and comprehensive solutions that address the evolving security landscape. Our collaboration is founded on the shared vision of enhancing national security through advanced technologies, and we are confident that our integrated solution will set new benchmarks in passive air surveillance and defence.”
Both companies have plans to extend their collaboration beyond the German Luftwaffe, with intentions to offer their integrated solution to other European customers. In an era where passive surveillance is increasingly recognized as vital for air defence systems, HENSOLDT and ERA are well-positioned to significantly contribute to the safety and security of European airspace.
Ondrej Chlost, CEO of ERA, expressed, “We are excited to join forces with HENSOLDT to further pioneer a new era of passive surveillance capabilities by combining our proven passive surveillance system VERA-NG with PCL-Twinvis technology. The integration of our VERA-NG and Passive Radar Twinvis technology not only addresses the current challenges but also prepares us for the future needs of air surveillance and defence.”
The strategic collaboration between HENSOLDT and ERA represents a significant milestone in the advancement of air surveillance and defence technologies. As Europe adapts to evolving security dynamics, this partnership is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and integrity of Germany, Europe, and its allies.