HENSOLDT, a sensor solutions provider, has announced a groundbreaking cooperation agreement with DFS, Germany’s air navigation service provider, to bring its Twinvis passive radar into the realm of civil air traffic safety. With plans to certify the Twinvis system for civil use by the end of 2026, the partnership aims to enhance airspace surveillance with cutting-edge passive radar technology.
What is Passive Radar?
Unlike traditional radar systems that emit signals, Twinvis passive radar is a receiver-only system. It operates by detecting reflected signals from third-party transmitters, such as television or radio stations. This technology has already proven effective for long-range military surveillance, and its potential in civil aviation could be transformative. One of its key advantages is that it remains undetectable, making it difficult to jam or locate—an essential feature in military operations and a significant benefit for civil air traffic control.
Proven Success in Testing
Two studies funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) tested the viability of the Twinvis system in civil applications. The system was installed near Frankfurt Airport, where HENSOLDT and DFS collaborated to assess its effectiveness. The results were promising. The tests demonstrated that the system could generate live air situation images, proving the system’s maturity and potential.
The advanced Twinvis software updates the positions of detected aircraft every second, making it particularly adept at tracking fast-moving aerial targets, such as sailplanes or military jets. According to HENSOLDT CEO Oliver Dörre, these studies show that passive radar can be just as effective in safeguarding civil air traffic as in military use.
Less Maintenance, Greater Efficiency
From an air traffic control perspective, passive radar technology could offer several advantages over conventional radar systems, including increased robustness and reduced maintenance needs. Currently, DFS operates around 30 radar stations across Germany, which rely on large, rotating primary radar antennas. The introduction of passive radar could offer a powerful, resource-efficient alternative. DFS is now working on future utilization concepts for passive radar data, with plans to integrate the technology into its existing infrastructure.
Future Trials and Certification
A new phase of joint trials will commence later this year, with a passive radar system set to be stationed near Stuttgart Airport. “We are looking forward to the joint trials at the Stuttgart site with great interest,” said Friedrich-Wilhelm Menge, Chief Technology Officer on the DFS Executive Board. If the technology proves successful
SOURCE: Hensoldt
IMAGE: The HENSOLDT passive radar Twinvis is to be used in civil aviation in the future. ©HENSOLDT
