SPEXER 2000 3D Radar Precisely Classifies Small Targets

As part of the German Army’s ‘qualified air defence, counter-drone programme, HENSOLDT is supplying the latest version of its SPEXER 2000 3D radar to system integrator Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, the company announced on 28 July.

Spexer will be part of the Counter-UAS (C-UAS) system, which is based on Kongsberg’s remote-controlled PROTECTOR weapon station, both mounted on a BOXER armoured vehicle. Initially ten systems are under contract. Radar deliveries will start at the end of this year to meet the requirements of the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) 2023.

The contract was awarded after a test firing at the Baumholder military training area. The third generation of HENSOLDT’s SPEXER 2000 3D radar demonstrated its ability to classify small targets in very demanding scenarios. Due to the small radar cross-section, high manoeuvrability and high optical reconnaissance performance of these micro-drones, they pose a particular threat to mobile land forces.

The new SPEXER radar generation also closes the gap in reconnaissance capability of close-range small targets within ground-based air defence networks. Parallel to drones, the classic air and ground target catalogue – helicopters, combat aircraft, armoured vehicles – can also be detected and classified. These capabilities set new standards in the field of radar-based self-protection.

Of the previous generations of SPEXER radar, over 150 systems have already been delivered to customers and are in operational use worldwide.