Strategic Partnership in Sensor and ISR Systems
HENSOLDT, a prominent provider of sensor solutions, has entered into a strategic alliance with AVILUS, a specialist in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies. This collaboration aims to co-develop and market sophisticated sensor and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions. Both companies emphasize leveraging proven technologies alongside agile manufacturing capacities from Germany.
Integration of Advanced Technologies
The partnership focuses on integrating HENSOLDT’s advanced sensors—including the high-performance electro-optical system, AMPS-M, and the ‘PrecISR’ radar—with AVILUS’s innovative ‘MissMarvin’ mission operating framework. This integration will yield scalable UAV platforms designed to fulfill both military and civilian operational requirements.
- HENSOLDT’s Sensor Suite:
- Electro-Optical System: Capable of detecting, classifying, and tracking targets through advanced multispectral sensor technology and AI-driven real-time processing. This system utilizes HD thermal imaging, color/low-light capabilities, short-wave infrared (SWIR), and wide-angle cameras for thorough situational assessment, all managed via a precision-engineered 4-axis gimbal.
- AMPS-M System: A composite platform that merges a self-protection capability with up to 16 intelligent decoy launchers. It integrates various warning sensors and defense measures against missile, laser, and radar threats. This modular system has a track record of reliability, with over 700 implementations globally, demonstrating significant flight operational endurance in collaboration with NATO allies.
- PrecISR Radar: This software-defined X-band radar employs an active electronically scanned array (AESA) to detect and track over 1,000 objects concurrently, covering ground, sea, and aerial targets under various weather conditions. Its effortless integration and ITAR-free status make it versatile for diverse UAV applications.
Enhancing Operational Capabilities
The collaboration addresses specific operational shortfalls in areas such as casualty evacuation, logistics, and reconnaissance using resilient unmanned systems. Ernst Rittinghaus, CEO of AVILUS, highlights the shared objective: “Our combined efforts enhance operational proximity and reliability, ensuring swift availability of advanced technologies for forces in the field.”
Christina Canitz, Head of Optronics at HENSOLDT, underscores the importance of this alliance: “Partnering with AVILUS allows us to ensure technological sovereignty while facilitating efficient pathways from development to operational deployment, bolstering UAV capabilities in Germany.”
Broad Application Potential
With the clearance from the Federal Aviation Authority for civil operations and the company-owned, company-operated model, the partnership is poised to explore a myriad of application scenarios extending from disaster response and critical infrastructure oversight to national border security.
Both companies are advancing HENSOLDT’s commitment to innovative solutions within the framework of ‘software-defined defense’, seeking to set new benchmarks in ISR capabilities for unmanned aviation on both domestic and international fronts. Initial demonstrations and pilot initiatives are underway, demonstrating their collaborative commitment to enhancing defense readiness and operational effectiveness.
This partnership exemplifies the strategic trajectory toward maximizing advanced technologies in the realm of unmanned aerial systems, aiming for greater robustness and sophistication in response capabilities across various mission sets.
