Innovativeness has always been a part of HENSOLDT’s DNA. This has always been the mainspring
of our business success across all departments. But how can we also permanently embed the
startup mentality and the urge to look “above and beyond” within our enterprise? The answer:
HENSOLDT Ventures.
Founded in 2018, HENSOLDT’s in-house innovation incubator focuses especially on ideas and
topics in the cyber, artificial intelligence and robotics areas, as well as data analytics.
As a prototypical incubator and technology scout, this unit additionally concentrates on
innovations that can eventually lead to spinoffs or strategic technology investments. The
necessary prerequisites were created in the fiscal year under review. HENSOLDT Ventures also
plays a decisive role in supporting innovation across all divisions of our enterprise. The
consistent growth and success of our projects to date affirm the course set here, which
will continue and intensify over the next fiscal year with an expanded focus on HENSOLDT
Ventures as an investor.
Cyber Security – IT security from a single source
Within an incredibly short time, HENSOLDT Cyber (see 4.2) has achieved what many thought
impossible: the development of our own, highly secure operating system including the
matching processor. Our efforts to make HENSOLDT products more secure have resulted in the
creation of a secure IT basis that stops hackers cold, is drawing broad attention from IT
experts outside of HENSOLDT circles and has the potential to form the nucleus for a
holistic, secure cyber-ecosystem in Germany.
Analytics – making pictures talk
With the acquisition of a globally leading supplier of open source intelligence systems
(OSINT) in 2020, HENSOLDT Ventures laid the groundwork for further AI applications and took
the first step toward realising its vision of a “virtual” sensor, and continues to invest in
scalable software products. The aim is to develop expanded, combined AI capabilities that
leverage speech, image and data analyses, for instance the ability to automatically analyse
moving images and summarise important or unusual occurrences in up to 30 different
languages. This will enable comprehensive data analysis that delivers information in
fractions of a second that can be decisive for targeted situational assessments – a
capability of interest both for military and civilian applications (such as event security).
Such software-based platforms are also becoming ever more important in the face of
increasing attacks based on media manipulation. Alongside conventional signals intelligence,
such a capability contributes greatly to resolving the situational picture in the face of
future hybrid threats and protecting own forces so as to assure dominance across the entire
spectrum.
Further current projects include revolutionary innovations to make 3D printing of printed
circuit boards practical in production environments, developing novel infrared jammers and
optimizing internal processes to increase added value, and all projects continued
uninterrupted throughout the pandemic. Thus, innovations beget new business ideas and models
that will contribute significantly to future success at HENSOLDT or in new subsidiaries.
Robotics – artificial intelligence for the win
To cite just one typical example for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in a robotics
application, HENSOLDT Ventures has developed the interceptor drone solution “Versatile
Autonomous Drone Response” (VADR) for the Xpeller family in collaboration with
EUROAVIONICS. As part of the modular drone defence system, VADR can be used as a platform
for a wide range of applications and is also able to assume fully or partially automated
tasks when unknown drones approach, and capture them with a net. Particularly for Xpeller
deployments at airports endangered by drones, this offers a decisive advantage, as jammers
are of only limited use here given that they can interfere with other electronic devices.
The system is already a part of the Falke drone-defence project of the German Federal
Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure, and other European nations have now also
expressed interest.
HENSOLDT Cyber
HENSOLDT Cyber
"Made in Germany"
In our era of global digitalization, data security and protection against unauthorised
access play an ever greater role – in both the military and civilian sectors. HENSOLDT Cyber
offers a highly secure solution with its proprietary hardware and software.
The threat of hacker incursions is growing daily, and regularly keeps IT managers and
administrators awake at night. Besides the highly publicised attacks on government and
corporate networks in recent years, the number of criminal attacks has been multiplying
every year, while the attackers’ professional skills have steadily increased. In the area of
malware alone – programs that infiltrate IT systems to spy on or disrupt them – over a
billion malware families have been identified to date, with 100 million more new variants
appearing every year. To combat this threat, HENSOLDT Cyber developed its own proprietary
processor and an extremely secure operating system to series readiness within a very short
time. This allows IT specialists to sleep well again at night, while their enterprises can
concentrate on their core business without a care.
The processor: logic lock-out
As the core protection element, HENSOLDT Cyber developed the first German high-security
multi-purpose processor. The MiG-V – MiG stands for “Made in Germany” – is a RISC-V
processor based on a globally unique process that makes it one of the most secure chips of
this type. In simple terms, its circuitry is configured during production so that it is
encrypted. As an understanding of the circuit logic is a fundamental prerequisite for
manipulating it, the circuitry is invulnerable. The processor can only be used by means of
an individual key that restores the original intended function. This effectively prevents
manipulation – in particular from the design of the subsequent production until its
subsequent use – and HENSOLDT Cyber now offers the world’s first approach for securing the
hardware supply chain.
This process developed by HENSOLDT Cyber offers enormous potential because it can be applied
universally to any processors and provided as a service to third parties.
The operating system: the first unhackable software
The primary target of every hacker is the computer’s operating system. Originally initiated
with the aim of protecting our own products even better, HENSOLDT Cyber developed the
“TRusted ENTity Operation System” – TRENTOS for short. Its architecture makes it possible to
operate multiple components of the operating system modularly, separated and isolated from
each other. This feature, combined with mathematical verification of individual components
and the operating system core, makes it the most secure of its type. A corresponding
development environment additionally permits third-party developers and users around the
world to develop their own operating system modules and applications simply and rapidly on
this platform.
The services: getting started made easy
To make adoption of this system as easy as possible for prospective users, HENSOLDT Cyber
has put together a “getting started” evaluation kit. Interest has been keen across
industries and countries. The separate Service Department that has since been organised
additionally offers all services needed to ensure a smooth transition to secure IT.
With this vision of creating a holistic IT ecosystem for the defence and security industry,
HENSOLDT Cyber wants to herald a new era of cybersecurity in Germany and also in Europe. At
the same time, this opens up the door for commercial applications, as Industry 4.0 and
other applications such as autonomous vehicles also increasingly demand highly secure IT.
Cross-Divisional innovation solutions
Innovation management within Optronics
Success through new ideas
Through systematic innovation management, HENSOLDT supports its employees in creating a
culture of “constructive disruption”: one that motivates them to focus constantly on our
customers and look beyond the obvious.
“An invention by itself is not an innovation, it must also be successfully implemented and
brought to market,” believes Dr Stefanie Schrader, Optronics’ Innovation Manager. And she
is following through by implementing a new innovation management system to bring the
“HENSOLDT Way of Innovation” to everyone across all departments. Because there are a lot of
good ideas. But they can only be realised and brought to market in a team.
Five steps to new business
Experimentation and invention may be a part of HENSOLDT’s DNA, but it takes courage to
envision and test what is often initially a very rough basic idea. A five-step concept
supports employees in becoming innovative: In the first step, they are encouraged to think
more creatively and generate new ideas. In the second step, Dr Schrader supports her
colleagues in compiling the information they need to flesh out their idea. Once the idea has
been passed by the Optronics Idea Board, it is implemented as an innovation project. The
idea takes on further contours as a business model concept or minimum viable product (MVP),
is modified or is released back into the ideas pool. It is only when an idea has acquired
concrete form that it finally advances to become a successful new product or business model
– often in collaboration with other business units and customers – in the fifth and final
step.
In the process, employees also learn how to use the preferred innovative working and
development methods of start-ups, including lean start-up, design thinking, Scrum and kanban
boards, and are actively inducted into innovation project teams. The mostly
interdisciplinary innovation items give rise to new networks and utilise HENSOLDT’s swarm
intelligence. Existing solutions are jointly enhanced, new solutions and application areas
are discovered, or innovations serve emerging customer and user needs.
Innovation Expedition
The first successes were not long in coming. More and more employees are utilising the newly
created opportunities to activate the rich latent innovation potential inherent in our
enterprise. And in summer 2020, a HENSOLDT team even embarked on its first-ever Innovation
Expedition. On account of the pandemic, HENSOLDT employees from a wide range of Divisions
met virtually with representatives of companies from other industries, exchanging
experiences and obtaining insights into how innovations are developed there.
The most important insight: working innovatively requires the courage to jointly embark on
an innovation journey and generate new momentum. Thanks to this new innovation concept,
HENSOLDT Optronics is taking new paths in order to establish an innovation ecosystem to
successfully implement new ideas.
New networks and future technologies
One key feature of our new innovation ecosystem at HENSOLDT Optronics is the imperative to
look beyond the obvious and into the future. Active, regular idea scouting, involving
surveys of various external academic and business networks, as well as active exchanges
with start-ups and associations, play an enormous role in this endeavour. In particular,
our regular dialogues with start-up entrepreneurs from a range of industries as well as
participation in national and international research consortia enable us to identify future
trends and discover new ideas. Our close cooperation with a research institute to explore
novel laser applications and our collaboration with start-ups on topics such as smart
sensoring and mesh networks for creating sensor arrays are initial tangible successes for
HENSOLDT Optronics. Additionally, we expect to strengthen our internal know-how for quantum
technology and other future technologies through our membership in the innovation network
“Optische Technologien – Photonics BW”.
Cross-Divisional AI activities
Joint learning creates intelligent data
HENSOLDT is already deploying artificial intelligence in many of its products. Our Divisions
work together to continually improve and enhance our applications, pooling and sharing the
benefits of their diverse experience and perspectives derived from the intelligent use of
data – in the spirit of our motto, “One HENSOLDT”.
The term “artificial intelligence” (AI) was first coined back in the 1950s. Today, new
methods of data acquisition and analysis offered by machine learning and deep learning are
driving AI toward an enormous breakthrough. The system can connect learned knowledge with
new information, and, if desired, even keep on learning, thanks to a neural network trained
using deep learning technology – in much the same way as a human brain learns. An ideal
method for intelligently using the diverse data from the many different HENSOLDT sensors.
Important for every division – successful together
Every HENSOLDT sensor generates data – radar, UV, infrared or visual spectrum, whether
terrestrial, marine, air- or spaceborne. And the more advanced the sensors are, the more
data they deliver. This wealth of data, often referred to as “big data”, provides the
foundation: “There’s no data like more data”. But it is AI-based analysis and evaluation
that brings out the true value of these data.
HENSOLDT understood this early on, and responded proactively with cross-divisional AI
initiatives. Direct collaboration with experts outside the company and intensive dialogue
with research establishments such as the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, RWTH Aachen
University, the University of Ulm and various Fraunhofer Institutes have enabled us to
create new networks, new knowledge and new solutions. This exceptionally transparent
dialogue with the scientific community has led to highly productive synergies that benefit
all parties and divisions alike.
Numerous challenges – one perspective
Much as in the Internet of Things (IoT), this entails linking sensors with a newly emerging
IT infrastructure. This infrastructure makes it possible to store enormous quantities of
data from millions of discrete cases of actual mission scenarios in a structured and
reproducible manner and make them usable for machine-driven learning processes under
operational conditions. The system can even integrate data on unknown objects of other
forces. This shared infrastructure creates two fundamental prerequisites: the creation of a
database in which – if desired – HENSOLDT shares in the customer’s data sovereignty and a
beachhead to our company’s sensor and data specialists, who, thanks to their sensor
expertise, are able to analyse the recorded data and make it available for a new training
cycle. In the course of this, the sensors learn to autonomously detect situations and
threats using broad-based machine learning techniques.
Once the learning phase is complete, the trained models can be implemented for their
missions on the sensor level. In future, such “smart sensors”, integrated in intelligent
overall systems, will enable entirely new, partially autonomous applications. The use of AI
will make it possible to analyse even complex situations automatically and identify
potential threats in real time. HENSOLDT is thus emerging as more than just a vendor of
smart sensors: it is becoming a smart systems provider.
AI Optronics
Future projects such as the MGCS (“Main Ground Combat System”) or the FCAS (“Future Combat
Air System”) rely entirely on “smart and intelligent” sensors in which the evaluation of
photo and video data is supported using AI. On its way to becoming a system supplier,
HENSOLDT Optronics is already currently working through various evolutionary stages to
settle issues such as which technology to use, how to process vast quantities of data and
which software and hardware architectures are required.
However, AI is also already being implemented in existing solutions. In the SETAS (“See
Through Armour System”), for example, AI combines all-round 360-degree visibility with
additional assistance information and automatically recognises objects and anomalies. With
“Wide Area Motion Imagery” (WAMI), a combination of cameras and sensors suspended from a
balloon evaluates aerial photos directly in the sensor. This allows a surface area of up to
50 square kilometres to be monitored from the air. At the same time, the system records
activities on the ground, which may remain undiscovered by even the most attentive observer
since there are so many of them happening at once.
AI Radar
Radar systems provide images of the air or ground even when visibility is compromised by
clouds, smoke or rain. The high quality of HENSOLDT radars allows an increasing number of
objects to be identified. Without the support of AI, the situational imagery produced in
this way rapidly becomes confusing or requires a lot of human intervention. Nowadays,
automatic target recognition through radar signatures already provides the operator with
important support, helping them to focus directly on drones, for example, without being
distracted by birds. The tracks of moving targets can be identified more easily and
efficiently and can be distinguished from false tracks (false track recognition).
Like visual aerial or satellite photos, SAR radars allow high-resolution ground imagery to
be recorded during daylight hours, regardless of weather conditions. Until now, however,
these images had to be interpreted by specially trained personnel. This is where AI comes
into play. With the help of real and simulated training data, vast areas of land surface can
be automatically scanned for relevant target objects to provide a picture of the current
threat situation. In this way, simple sensor data can result in high-resolution annotated
radar images, which no longer require analysis by trained personnel and can instead be used
by just about anyone.
AI Electronic Warfare
Future fields of application will be characterised by increasingly complex scenarios, in
which decisions will need to be made based on large quantities of information within
increasingly shorter time frames. Tomorrow’s “smart sensors” will have a crucial role to
play in this. In a shared “code camp” with Microsoft, HENSOLDT has already demonstrated
what this kind of “smart sensor” might look like.
The fields of application are practically unlimited since the systems learn continuously.
For example, airborne reconnaissance platforms can be better protected using various
sensors. The mix of LiDAR, radar and electrooptical sensors that is utilised here allows a
fused situational image to be created, which is therefore significantly more resistant to
disruptive processes. On the basis of overlapping tasks, HENSOLDT clearly benefits here from
the rapid developments made in the civilian sector.
AI HENSOLDT Ventures
As a “spearhead of innovation” in the company, the increased use of AI is also at the heart
of the range of HENSOLDT Ventures activities (see 4.1). As an integral part of many projects
and products, the technology has proven its potential a long time ago. In this way, the use
of AI in counter-UAV systems allows a higher level of automation, making the operator’s work
easier. A further application can be found in Edge AI applications – for instance for the
close-range control of an interceptor drone.
Working closely alongside specialist departments, AI experts at HENSOLDT Ventures also
provide targeted support for other group projects with the goal of pioneering
ground-breaking new AI applications. HENSOLDT Ventures sees the development of an
overlapping centre for big data and AI as one of its core tasks at present. Accordingly, it
intends to continue supporting internal group projects, as well as developing new
applications, such as open-source intelligence. The focus here is on using deep learning to
evaluate large quantities of data in the fields of speech, text and imagery.
Mission management for helicopter upgrades
"IQ" for helicopters
HENSOLDT’s mission management system for helicopters is an unqualified success. Over 5,000
such systems have already been integrated in helicopters, because they offer so much that
other systems just can’t.
A system is truly intelligent when it can take and process data from a wide range of
different sources to create a complete situational picture. A picture that ideally delivers
all important information that the user needs at that instant – and not a single bit more.
This is HENSOLDT’s objective in developing mission management systems for helicopters. The
system can be flexibly customised with a broad range of software modules to precisely meet
application requirements. It automatically delivers to each crew member the information
that they need. Developed to meet civilian certification standards and
platform-independent, it can be used in both military and civilian environments. It can
digitally communicate and exchange data with other systems. Helicopter pilots around the
world know how important this is.
“Mission possible”
For helicopter crews, the coordinated execution of a mission is exceptionally demanding on
account of the wide variety of tasks they must perform. Complex mission scenarios in
particular intensify the stress on crews. Yet such complex civilian and military mission
scenarios, subject to extensive, mission-specific additional parameters, are the rule rather
than the exception.
To ensure that pilots, copilots and other crew members are optimally supported, HENSOLDT’s
mission management system pulls together all necessary data in a single system. Video,
radar and information from a wide range of flight, surveillance, identification, night
vision and other sensors are combined with external data such as weather data or data on
other aircraft in the operational area to form a coherent whole. The result is a holistic
overall system that can network with other systems on the ground, at sea or in the air.
Each crew member receives the information they need “right now” for their respective task
via their head-down display or projected directly in the helmet. Pilots are supported in
flying the aircraft, copilots have an overview of all sensors, and a third crew member can,
for instance, focus entirely on tasking an escort drone. This makes even the most difficult
operations a “mission possible”.
Mission accomplished
HENSOLDT’s mission management system excels not only because of its ability to compile data
and information from widely diverse sources. It also offers a flexible link to existing
communication systems. Whereas a link to 4G or 5G wireless networks is often sufficient for
civilian applications, the current generation of military-grade mission management can
communicate via tactical datalinks (TDL) to share data in real time with other mission
actors.
Thus, mission management brings previously inconceivable situational awareness to helicopter
cockpits in real time – regardless of the helicopter type and its military, paramilitary or
civilian deployment profile. This system already plays a mission-critical role in over 5,000
helicopters today, and HENSOLDT is currently developing future platform upgrades e.g. for
the H145M and Tiger Mk3: a blueprint for the military mission management of tomorrow.
Mission accomplished.
Hydrogen strategy
The element tomorrow is made of
Hydrogen is considered a key element for a successful energy transition. With the innovative
– and in many areas leading – technologies of NEXEYA, HENSOLDT has now secured access to
this strategically important market of the future.
Energy transition plays a core role in all international climate protection efforts.
However, we can only succeed here by securing energy sources that are at the same time
reliable, affordable and environmentally compatible. One major issue is that renewable
energy technologies deliver power irregularly. However, innovative hydrogen technologies
make it possible to store this energy in a climate-neutral manner so it can be fed into the
grid as needed. The end result is sector coupling – of power, heating and mobility.
NEXEYA – an international leader
NEXEYA – a HENSOLDT company since 2019 – is a global leader in the development and
production of hydrogen-based energy storage solutions and supply stations. NEXEYA’s “Smart
Energy Storage Stations” reliably supply remote locations, radar installations,
communications antennas and weather stations with energy or serve as local (interim) storage
for solar, wind and hydroelectric power. Intelligently integrated in local-area smart
microgrids, they bring carbon-neutral energy to buildings, entire industrial plants, ports,
airports and districts. Installed aboard emission-free energy ships and being a part of
NEXEYA’s GreenHarbour project they supply ships in ports with CO2-neutral electricity. In
the defence sector, they guarantee the autonomous operation of data centres and entire
bases.
And that’s just the beginning. As members of the French Association for Hydrogen and Fuel
Cells (France Hydrogène), HENSOLDT and NEXEYA have their fingers constantly on the pulse of
development both nationally in France and Germany, and also at EU level. New regulations and
strategies open the doors to new markets and applications. The necessary solutions can be
implemented and offered rapidly and targeted precisely.
New products for new markets
Current projects with great potential include the autonomous complete systems for
producing, storing and providing energy, which are already in service. With their vast
storage capacity, they offer months of independence from external supply grids. They can be
modularly integrated in existing networks even under extreme weather conditions and generate
“green” hydrogen with virtually no environmental impact. Linked to form hydrogen microgrids,
they additionally offer an economical alternative that can be used e.g. to build a
high-performance charging infrastructure for the e-mobility of the future. The integration
of fuel cells and the formation of whatever logistics infrastructure may be necessary to
transport hydrogen can also open up new lines of business.
While presently still on a modest level, the hydrogen business offers numerous expansion
opportunities for the future. With the current political encouragement and support, all
signs point to growth, as the energy transformation is moving forward at a rapid pace.
HENSOLDT and NEXEYA are not only keeping up, but are blazing the trail to tomorrow.
“Green” hydrogen as the key to the energy transition
(Source: “Die Nationale Wasserstoffstrategie – Schlüsselelement der Energiewende” of the
German Federal Government)
Hydrogen generated using renewable energy sources is often referred to as “green” hydrogen.
It opens up a range of possible applications for a sustainable future:
It can store renewably generated energy and thus help to balance supply with demand.
“Green” hydrogen can contribute decisively to sector coupling in areas where power from
renewable energy sources cannot be used directly.
Used in fuel cells, it can enable hydrogen-based mobility and serve as a basis for
synthetic fuels.
It can replace the conventional hydrogen already essential to numerous chemical and
industrial processes and be used as a raw material for future production processes.
In the long term, hydrogen will make it possible to decarbonise process-related emissions,
e.g. by converting CO2 emissions to valuable precursor substances.
Electronic 3D printing
The proof is in the printing
Major high-tech players around the world are experimenting with 3D printing. At HENSOLDT, we
are already deploying it for development and production – as the global innovation leader
some applications.
Already, three-dimensional printing of parts and high-performance electronic components is
being recognised as a technological revolution that will reshape the world. Although it
plays a largely subordinated role in the general perception, enterprises around the world –
including the big names in the consumer electronics, computer, automotive and aerospace
industries – are experimenting with the possibilities, processes and materials.
HENSOLDT recognised this potential early on, and has since integrated 3D printing
successfully in a wide range of development and production processes.
Innovation leader in the additive fabrication of electronic 3D structures
Today, HENSOLDT has risen to become a global leader in the printing of electronic 3D
structures. Our collaboration with the Israeli enterprise Nano Dimension – the number-one in
additively manufactured electronics (AME) and printed electronics (PE) – that commenced in
2016 means that HENSOLDT has been playing an active role in significantly improving the
stability of the processes for use in future products. However, the actual focus is on
developing and fabricating three-dimensional structures within circuit carriers.
Even now, it is apparent that the jointly enhanced technology will enable entirely novel
functions and products.
What sounds like one small step will potentially culminate in one giant leap for HENSOLDT,
as military sensor solutions demand extremely high levels of performance and reliability,
far beyond the capability of commercial-grade components. The new process not only makes it
possible to utilise the available PC board space much more efficiently. The electronic
structures themselves can also be fitted to the available space without restrictions. The
printed components are more compact, yet their performance and integration density are
enhanced.
3D printing of metals and plastics
Concurrently, HENSOLDT has for several years been 3D printing plastics to create
prototypes. True-to-scale models can be printed simply and rapidly to enable review of
design and functionality. This accelerates the entire development process.
HENSOLDT is also using the extremely cost-intensive and time-consuming 3D metal printing
regularly in production today. For example, this technology makes it possible to create
aluminium radiator elements for radar transmitters that simply cannot be fabricated by
conventional means. With their complex cavity structures, they cool more efficiently while
at the same time providing electromagnetic screening.
Fit for the future
Thus, HENSOLDT is already deploying 3D printing and additive manufacturing processes in
producing parts of its current air surveillance radar (ASR) system, and for its ground-based
radar units Spexer, TRML-4D and the Cobra radar. These technologies are also being used
successfully to support production, e.g. for fixtures and tools.
AESA EW antenna
Seeing and jamming
Antennas are usually designed to transmit and receive signals. The new AESA EW from HENSOLDT
goes a critical step further. Electronically scanned, it can even jam enemy radar.
HENSOLDT has been recognised as a global technology leader for radar systems for many years
now. On the ground, at sea, in the air and even in space, they perform reliably in
innumerable civilian and military surveillance, reconnaissance, defence and air traffic
control applications. With its new “Active Electronically Scanned Array Electronic Warfare”
(AESA EW) antenna, HENSOLDT is once more proving that ongoing research and continuing
development pay off. HENSOLDT has succeeded in designing an antenna as a core element of the
Kalætron Attack product family, that can not only transmit and receive signals but can also
actively jam when electronically scanned.
Three functions – one antenna
Particularly in the military sector, and in aircraft especially, radar antennas are more
often “off” than “on”. They transmit and receive only briefly because their signals can be
localised. Additionally, a constant transmission power output requires larger device
footprints and extensive cooling.
Problem defined – problem solved. The new HENSOLDT AESA EW is equipped with the necessary
radiator elements, fabricated in an innovative metallic 3D printing process. Boasting an
environmentally friendly coolant, it is also only marginally larger than conventional
antennas.
Yet its performance spectrum is significantly expanded. It can not only transmit and
receive brief signals, as before. It can receive constantly, and thus intercept enemy
signals and even deliberately jam them.
One antenna – diverse applications
Multiple NATO member states and allies have already expressed keen interest in HENSOLDT’s
latest innovation, the product of several years of development backed by decades of
experience. Starting with the extremely complex certification process for use aboard
aircraft, ship-board and ground deployment are also conceivable.
In the currently planned Eurofighter update, the AESA EW antenna, installed e.g. in an
escort jammer pod, could effectively disrupt enemy radar signals to protect the aircraft
itself, but also, for example, to shield other manned or unmanned aircraft and ground units
from missile attacks by jamming their detection radar. As a low-cost, fixed-location ground
installation, the antenna could also function as a stand-off jammer, disrupting radar and
communication signals while remaining out of range of attacks.
In sum, the AESA EW antenna bundles the three functions of the Kalætron Attack product
family (stand-off jammer, escort jammer and self-protection jammer) together with the
conventional receiver function in a single antenna.
Thus, once again, HENSOLDT technology ensures that potential attackers remain truly “blind
and deaf”.
Manta NEO
Enhancing Situational Awareness
The Manta NEO developed by HENSOLDT UK turns the currently existing philosophy for marine
radars on its head. The focus is no longer on displaying as much data as possible, but on
concentrating on collision warning. This attracts worldwide attention and is well received.
In today’s congested shipping lines, maintaining situational awareness is of utmost
importance for the navigator. Manta NEO offers precise mapping of all maritime activities
and is the perfect tool to support navigators of large merchant and cruise ships or super
yachts. While on previous navigation screens, the radar display required for this purpose
was "only" visible as part of numerous other pieces of information and somewhat hidden,
HENSOLDT’s Manta NEO focuses primarily on this particular display. Everything else can – if
required – be blended in and out as an additional element.
Simple and clear
What appears simple at a first glance led to enormous challenges for the developers at
HENSOLDT UK. In order to make the current status quo of a “locked” screen display containing
a variety of information more flexible, our developers decided to implement a completely new
software structure. Based on the Android platform and mobile phone processors, a simplified
menu structure has been created. On new multifunctional displays, it provides users quick
and easy access to all important information they are accustomed to from using their
smartphone displays. More than that, Manta NEO is also suitable for guiding autonomous ships
from land.
The primary focus is on the radar display – taking up the entire screen. Via an app-based,
intuitive and easy to learn approach, additional navigation devices and data from other
sensors can be integrated, configured and displayed as needed.
New markets, new target groups
For HENSOLDT, the Manta NEO opens up access to new markets and target groups in the
non-defence sector. In addition to cruise ships, in which the system can also be
retrofitted, a first focus is on the booming sector of mega and luxury yachts. With its
user-friendly design, Manta NEO meets the wishes of many owners and at the same time
satisfies the clients' high security and safety requirements.
As a next step, the market for merchant ships will be targeted, as the system can be
integrated on all ships that meet the requirements of the International Maritime
Organisation (IMO). As the predecessor of HENSOLDT UK, Kelvin Hughes has very good access
to and an excellent, long-standing, reputation in the market: one that offers enormous
potential, with around 30,000 ships worldwide.
Following preliminary presentations at trade fairs and to potential customers and shipyards
with a correspondingly positive response, the market launch of Manta NEO is planned for the
second quarter of 2021.
Integrated maritime solutions
Ocean-going added value
HENSOLDT is a leading supplier in the areas of radar, identification friend-foe, datalinks,
electro-optics and defence electronics. High-performance sensors are a key part of maritime
mission systems and thus play a vital role in the success of challenging naval missions.
Integrated maritime solutions consisting of highly diverse sensor combinations are a prime
example of this.
The market is changing. Whereas it used to be driven by the demand for individual systems,
such as radars, customers today increasingly want complete solutions. Comprising multiple
products, such combined overall systems offer decisive added value for customers thanks to
the seamless interaction of the individual components together with data analytics and
evaluation and connection to tactical datalinks.
On and beneath the waves
Here too, HENSOLDT’s segment approach once again proves superior. All departments take a
cross-Divisional approach to work and act with their focus firmly on customers and prospects
and their needs. Long before individual products are selected, our experts systematically
discuss operational requirements with customers before offering a corresponding solution
spectrum.
Particularly in the area of integrated maritime solutions, HENSOLDT’s acquisitions in France
(NEXEYA) and the UK (Kelvin Hughes) have opened up new market potential and customer groups.
In addition to the major, broad-spectrum system solutions of the future, smaller, innovative
integration of various surface and underwater sensors is now also possible.
Compact solutions for small vessels
LYNCEA, the flexible mission system from NEXEYA, is a perfect example. Modular in design and
expandable in steps, it generates a tactical situational picture on the basis of a broad
range of inputs: from radar and optronic devices to sonar and electronic warfare elements,
and even permits optional integration in NATO datalinks. With its ergonomic, easy-to-use
user interface, it is ideal for an extremely wide range of mission scenarios, such as
surveillance of maritime areas, combating human trafficking, rescue missions and much more.
Available in a range of base versions, LYNCEA is thus ideal for deployment aboard fast
patrol boats, deep sea patrol vessels and surveillance units as well as command centres on
shore. This flexibility is paying off, as in 2020, NEXEYA became the chosen vendor in its
home market, receiving an order to equip deep sea patrol vessels of the French Navy.
Rapid and close to customers
Alongside solutions that can be flexibly and efficiently configured to match customer needs,
customer intimacy with potential prospects also plays a decisive role. Because in spite of
today’s intense globalisation, it remains an advantage when, for instance, a North African
customer can be served directly from France (NEXEYA) and an Irish customer from the UK
(HENSOLDT UK).
Our integrated maritime solutions are already proving what will in future be true for all
our products and projects under HENSOLDT’s domain approach: a comprehensive understanding
across all domains makes it possible to offer a broad spectrum of options across all
divisions. To the benefit of our customers and our enterprise as a whole.
