Sensor specialist HENSOLDT is further expanding its position as a national technology champion for air defence sensors. Rheinmetall Air Defence has awarded HENSOLDT a contract to supply SPEXER air defence radars for use in the new Skyranger 30 anti-aircraft gun tank (FlakPz). The order is worth almost 100 million euros.
With the Skyranger 30, Rheinmetall Air Defence is providing the successor to the Gepard FlakPz in the Bundeswehr’s (German Army’s) newly established air defence force. With the SPEXER 2000, this will be equipped with a radar whose high detection performance will enable the effectors of the new FlakPz to develop their full potential. The decisive factor here is the extraordinarily high quality of target classification and the ability to precisely track targets even while on the move or in flight. Based on a framework agreement concluded with Rheinmetall Air Defense in 2023, the SPEXER 2000M 3D MkIII is part of Rheinmetall’s offering to various end users.
The radars now ordered will be used to equip the Skyranger tanks of Germany and Austria. Denmark has also announced a corresponding procurement. The German Skyranger 30 is based on the GTK Boxer, additionally equipped with the Stinger guided missile. The Austrian system is based on the Pandur EVO. In addition to the 30mm revolver cannon, the Austrian Skyranger 30 will be equipped with the Mistral guided missile.
The SPEXER radar family offers high-performance surveillance radars for various ranges for the automatic detection and classification of ground, sea and low-flying air targets. The SPEXER 2000 is used in the German cUAS field camp (ASUL), qualified air defense, HoWiSM (high-energy laser for drone defense) and NNbS programs, among others.
HENSOLDT has decades of experience with radar systems for air defense and is actively driving the further development of key technologies in this field. In addition to SPEXER, the company’s portfolio includes the TRML-4D high-performance radar, which has proven its worth in Ukraine, the Twinvis passive radar and radars for securing ship and air traffic. Both the TRML-4D and the SPEXER are part of the Bundeswehr’s NNbS air defense system for close and short-range protection, which was commissioned in January.
HENSOLDT is a leading company in the European defence industry with a global reach. Based in Taufkirchen near Munich, the company develops complete sensor solutions for defence and security applications. As a system integrator, HENSOLDT offers platform-independent, networked solutions. Being a technology leader, the company is also driving forward the development of defence electronics and optronics and is continuously expanding its portfolio based on innovative approaches to data fusion, artificial intelligence and cyber security.
In 2023, HENSOLDT achieved a turnover of 1.85 billion euros. Following the acquisition of ESG GmbH, the company employs around 8,000 people. HENSOLDT is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the MDAX. (Photo © Rheinmetall)
