Rheinmetall’s Skymaster Successfully Fuses Twinvis Radar Data.
Rheinmetall’s Skymaster Successfully Fuses Twinvis Radar Data.
Rheinmetall Skymaster uses Hensoldt’s Twinvis Radar Data in Timber Express 2026 Exercise: MANCHING — Defence contractors Rheinmetall and Hensoldt have successfully tested the integration of passive radar technology into a modern air defence network. The demonstration took place during the German Air Force exercise Timber Express 2026 at Manching.
The trial tested whether data from a passive sensor could be fed into an active command and control structure under realistic NATO networking conditions. Observers noted that the test marks a shift in how military forces might approach airspace surveillance and emissions control in future conflicts.
How Passive Radar Works Without Giving Away Position
Traditional military radars emit radio waves and listen for the reflections to locate aircraft. While effective, these active emissions act like a beacon, allowing adversaries to detect the radar’s location and target it.
Hensoldt‘s Twinvis system takes a different approach. As a passive radar, it emits no signals of its own. Instead, it exploits ambient radio frequency signals—such as commercial television, FM radio, and mobile phone transmissions—that bounce off airborne objects.
During the Manching exercise, the Twinvis system successfully tracked air targets and fed this data into Rheinmetall’s Skymaster command and weapon engagement system. Skymaster was simultaneously directing a deployed Skynex air defence battery.
Achieving a Unified Air Picture Through NATO Networks
The core technical achievement of the trial was data fusion. Using NATO’s Link 16 tactical data network, the Skymaster system combined inputs from the passive Twinvis radar with active radar and electro-optical sensors.
This multi-source fusion created a single, comprehensive air picture. Military analysts point out that combining these technologies allows forces to adhere strictly to modern emissions control (EMCON) strategies. By relying more heavily on passive sensors, operators can maintain situational awareness over critical infrastructure and mobile units while keeping their electronic signature to a minimum.
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Expanding Future Air Defence Applications
The successful integration at Timber Express 2026 demonstrates the open architecture and flexibility of Rheinmetall’s Skymaster system. Because passive sensors do not emit characteristic electronic signatures, incorporating them into a network significantly increases the overall survivability of the defence grid.
Organisers confirmed that the findings from Manching will form the technical foundation for wider integration efforts. The technology is expected to be rolled out across stationary Skynex systems, mobile Skyranger vehicle solutions, and modern counter-unmanned aerial systems (counter-UAS) like the Skyspotter, following collaborative development between the German Air Force, exercise management, and industry experts.
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