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German air force tests Hensoldt passive radar system to boost defenses
Summary
The German air force has begun testing a passive radar system called Twinvis, made by Hensoldt, to supplement existing ground-based air-defense formations. This technology measures disturbances in commercial television and radio signals in order to detect aerial objects without pulsing the airspace for threats. The system was purchased with money from a €100 billion special military fund after Russia invaded Ukraine, and could be useful in the context of observations from the battlefields of Ukraine, where neither Russia or Ukraine have been able to establish air superiority.
Q&As
What is the German air force testing?
The German air force is testing a so-called passive radar system.
How does passive radar work?
Passive radar works by measuring disturbances in the soup of commercial television and radio broadcast signals permeating crowded airspaces.
What advantages does passive radar offer to ground-based air-defense formations?
Passive radar offers the advantage of providing an “early cue” about approaching threats without pulsing the airspace for threats.
What is the Twinvis system?
The Twinvis system is made by sensor specialist Hensoldt.
What aspects of passive radar technology have recently made it usable in real-world operations?
Recent advances in sensing and signals processing have made passive radar technology usable in real-world operations.
AI Comments
👍 The German air force is taking proactive steps to protect its airspace with the use of the Hensoldt passive radar system. This cutting-edge technology is sure to provide an early warning system for the Luftwaffe, helping them to surprise their adversaries.
👎 The Hensoldt passive radar system is potentially vulnerable to detection when active radar is used for brief periods, leaving the German air force open to attack. Additionally, the system is costly and may not be the most efficient way to protect German airspace.
AI Discussion
Me: It's about the German air force testing a new passive radar system called Twinvis made by Hensoldt. It's designed to improve their ground-based air defense capabilities by detecting disturbances in commercial television and radio signals.
Friend: That sounds interesting. What are the implications of this technology?
Me: Well, it could give the German air force the ability to detect incoming threats without having to use active radar, which exposes them to detection. This could be a game-changer for air-to-air combat, as it could allow them to surprise their adversaries. Additionally, it could also help protect population centers from Russian drones and missiles, as the system is optionally available with Twinvis passive radar.
Action items
- Research the IRIS-T SLM air- and missile-defense weapons system made by Diehl Defence and its optional Twinvis passive radar system.
- Explore the implications of the use of passive radar technology in real-world operations.
- Analyze the potential of the US Air Force's electronic warfare units to counter Russian drones and missiles.
Technical terms
- Passive Radar
- A type of radar system that uses existing radio waves from television and radio broadcasts to detect objects in the air. It does not emit its own signals, making it more difficult to detect.
- Early Cue
- A warning or indication that something is about to happen.
- Active Radar
- A type of radar system that emits its own signals to detect objects in the air.
- Twinvis
- A passive radar system made by sensor specialist Hensoldt.
- Air Superiority
- The ability to deploy warplanes uncontested, which analysts consider a prerequisite for victory.
- IRIS-T SLM
- A latest-generation air- and missile-defense weapon made by Diehl Defence.