At the AUSA 2024 conference held in Washington D.C. last week (14-16 October), sensor solution provider HENSOLDT and Raytheon signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which aims at deepening their collaboration on Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) systems for NATO forces.
This agreement underscores the shared commitment of both companies to support and strengthen NATO operations by enhancing the sustainment and readiness of critical military technologies.
The MoU marks a new phase in the partnership between HENSOLDT and Raytheon, which has been working together for some time on global opportunities. The agreement demonstrates a united effort to move sustainment and support closer to operational units, ensuring that NATO service members have reliable access to high-performance EO/IR systems that are mission-ready.
One of the first major outcomes of this new collaboration will be the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Oberkochen, Germany, set to be operational by the end of Q1 2025. This facility will provide crucial support to NATO partners across Europe, enhancing the readiness and operational capability of EO/IR systems in the field.
The partnership will initially focus on airborne EO/IR programs, both in Europe and the United States. However, the scope is expected to grow, eventually encompassing land-based programs as well. By leveraging the unique strengths of both companies, HENSOLDT and Raytheon will address clear customer requirements, positioning their joint capabilities to better serve NATO and other defense customers in both regions.
“This MoU is a testament to our shared vision of bringing ourselves and our capabilities closer to our customers and their needs,” said Tanya Altmann, Head of the Optronics & Land Solutions division at HENSOLDT.
“By collaborating with Raytheon, we are ensuring that our customers in Europe and the US have access to the most advanced and capable EO/IR systems available, all backed by world-class sustainment services,” she added.
With the signing ceremony at AUSA 2024, HENSOLDT and Raytheon have laid out clear plans for their cooperation. The immediate next steps include finalizing the establishment of the MRO facility in Oberkochen and positioning resources to support NATO’s operational needs. The two companies will continue working closely to ensure the swift and efficient execution of the agreement, with plans to expand further into the US market in the near future.
Raytheon, an RTX business, is a leading provider of defense solutions to help the U.S. government, allies and partners defend their national sovereignty and ensure their security. For more than 100 years, Raytheon has developed new technologies and enhanced existing capabilities in integrated air and missile defense, smart weapons, missiles, advanced sensors and radars, interceptors, space-based systems, hypersonics and missile defense across land, air, sea and space.
With more than 185,000 global employees, and through industry-leading businesses (Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon), RTX is advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges.
With 2023 sales of $69 billion, RTX is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, USA.
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.
