Metal Additive Manufacturing enables condensed radar jammer design for Hensoldt
July 5, 2022
Sensor solution provider Hensoldt, based in Taufkirchen, Germany, has reported successful testing of its ‘Kalaetron Attack’ jamming system, the design of which makes use of metal Additive Manufacturing to reduce the size of electronic components so that it can be more easily integrated into commonly used pod formats or directly into flying platforms. The system is designed to jam enemy air defence radars of various types.
Measurements in various operationally relevant scenarios reported that Kalaetron Attack can detect even the most modern air defence radars and interfere with them by means of precisely directed jamming signals. The effectiveness and responsiveness of the system was achieved using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, which enable the classification of unknown threats in the field and the rapid evaluation of large amounts of data.
“Control of the electromagnetic spectrum is an essential prerequisite for information superiority, and thus the success of military missions and the protection of one’s own soldiers,” explained Celia Pelaz, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of the Spectrum Dominance Division at Hensoldt. “Kalaetron Attack also makes it possible to deny the enemy the use of this spectrum – for air defence, for example.”
Kalaetron Attack, as an escort jammer for the Eurofighter, is expected to provide the Luftwaffe with the timely capability transfer of the ECR Tornado and, at the same time, to expand the capabilities of the Eurofighter by providing an urgently required component of electronic warfare (escort jamming) in modern operational scenarios. Due to its scalability, the system can also be used in land- or ship-based applications.