Rheinmetall Air Defence AG has signed an agreement with Silvus Technologies, a Motorola Solutions company, to integrate passive radio frequency (RF) sensors into its ground-based air defence systems, strengthening detection capabilities against emerging aerial threats.
The integration will bring Silvus Technologies’ RFeye sensors into Rheinmetall’s Skynex Air Defence System and Skymaster command and control platform. The technology can detect and locate aerial platforms by monitoring electromagnetic signals without actively transmitting, allowing sensors to operate without revealing their locations.
Expanding Airspace Monitoring Capabilities
The passive sensing capability will complement existing radar coverage, helping air defence operators maintain a more comprehensive and continuous picture of airspace activity. It will also contribute to a recognized electromagnetic picture (REMP), providing additional information for threat assessment and operational decisions.
Roman Köhne, CEO of Rheinmetall Air Defence AG, said the growing presence of unmanned aircraft and difficult-to-detect aerial technologies is making airspace monitoring increasingly complex. He noted that conventional detection methods may face limitations in identifying emerging threats under challenging operating conditions.
Integrating passive RF sensing into Skymaster is expected to improve early threat awareness and support more effective responses.
Supporting Allied Air Defence
Peter Moss, director of strategic NATO accounts at Silvus Technologies, said the agreement reflects both companies’ commitment to developing resilient air defence capabilities for allied forces. He added that combining RFeye technology with Rheinmetall’s air defence architecture would strengthen situational awareness and help operators make faster, better-informed decisions.
