Taufkirchen/Germany – Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT is taking the development of its collision warning system for civil and military drones to a new level. The demonstrator study for a “detect-and-avoid radar” – commissioned by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) – enables a further step towards safely integrating drones into controlled airspace.

The German customer has drawn up requirements for an investigation into implementing a gradual and full-scale airspace integration of the EURODRONE. For this, a DAA system is foreseeably necessary, which is to be advanced in gradual series development.

In the run-up to this future development of a DAA system, HENSOLDT – as a long-standing partner of the German Armed Forces in the field of radar technology – has carried out risk-minimizing national and European studies regarding the conception and design of a special radar sensor system for such a DAA system. The flight test campaigns carried out and the results obtained during these studies in preparation for development are already proving the functional capability.

The “detect-and-avoid radar” is one of the decisive sensors in a complex DAA system on board unmanned aerial vehicles. It supports the calculation of evasive maneuvers for collision avoidance by detecting, classifying and forming complete tracks of approaching objects in the airspace. Due to the multifunctional design of this radar, the requirements for integrating a weather radar function will also be taken into account and a possible perspective regarding the support of a separate landing aid will be opened up.

The currently commissioned study for the DAA radar includes the investigation of the technical feasibility of such a radar for the EURODRONE project, the verification with a near-series demonstrator, and the risk minimization for future series development. Since the novel “detect-and-avoid radar” is a flight- and mission-critical component, the study deals in particular with the implementation of the safety requirements and the approval strategy at national and international aviation safety authorities (EASA, LBA) as well as the military organizations (LufABw).

About HENSOLDT

HENSOLDT is a leading company in the European defense industry with global reach. Based in Taufkirchen near Munich, the company develops complete sensor solutions for defense and security applications. As a technology leader, HENSOLDT drives the development of defense electronics and optronics and is continuously expanding its portfolio based on innovative approaches to data fusion, artificial intelligence, and cyber security. With more than 6,500 employees, HENSOLDT achieved a turnover of 1.7 billion euros in 2022. HENSOLDT is listed in the MDAX of the Frankfort Stock Exchange.
www.hensoldt.net