Corroborated test 2026-08-20
During the German Air Force exercise Timber Express 2026 at Manching, Rheinmetall Air Defence and Hensoldt successfully integrated the Twinvis passive radar's air picture into the Skymaster command-and-control system. Skymaster directed a Skynex air-defence battery in the scenario. The integration was conducted under realistic NATO networking conditions.
Why it matters: Passive radar just entered Germany's air-defence kill chain under NATO network protocols — a significant counter-stealth step that other European militaries will watch closely.
Single source test 2026-08-19
Hartpunkt reports Rheinmetall and Hensoldt reached an integration milestone during the German Air Force Timber Express 2026 exercise by feeding Hensoldt's Twinvis passive-radar air picture into Rheinmetall's Skymaster command-and-weapons control system.
Why it matters: Passive sensors wired into live air-defense C2 is where anti-radiation survivability moves from brochure language to an operator's console.
Single source test 2026-08-19
Rheinmetall and Hensoldt successfully integrated Hensoldt's Twinvis passive radar into Rheinmetall's Skymaster air-defense command-and-control system during the German Air Force's Timber Express 2026 exercise. The passive radar's air picture fed directly into Skymaster's fire-control loop. Both companies describe the milestone as a step toward networked layered air defense.
Why it matters: Passive radar is the quiet counter to low-observable threats; proving it can close the kill chain inside a NATO C2 system moves the technology from niche to doctrine.