Sensor solutions provider Hensoldt is developing sensor equipment that can be integrated into a pod to give the recently commissioned Airbus Eurodrone a signals intelligence (SIGINT) capability.

The sensor technology for reconnaissance of radio and radar signals is based on a combination of the latest technologies in digitisation, electronic beam steering and metallic 3D printing, some of which Hensoldt has already developed in its Kalaetron product family. The contract for the implementation and testing of a SIGINT demonstrator worth approximately 15 million euros has now been awarded by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw).

"From our experience with other SIGINT projects and our own technology programmes, we are in a position to offer a flexible SIGINT solution for the Eurodrone that can be integrated into a pod, but can also be used networked with other platforms," says Christoph Ruffner, Head of the Spectrum Dominance and Airborne Solutions Division at Hensoldt. In addition to the sensor suite itself, Hensoldt is also developing a system architecture for integrating the SIGINT capability into the future mission system of the Eurodrone as part of this contract.

The Kalaetron product family is already being used in self-protection and signals intelligence systems by the German Armed Forces, among others. On its own initiative, Hensoldt has already demonstrated its communications reconnaissance capabilities (C-ESM) in ground and flight tests. The core elements of the system are a fully digitalised, broadband receiver, an electronically controllable antenna and a condensed structure of the electronic components that was only made possible by metallic 3D printing. In combination, these elements allow the SIGINT equipment to be incorporated into a compact pod system that can be easily integrated into flying platforms, but also scaled for sea and land applications.