Hensoldt builds new radar test site in Germany to triple Spexer production and address rising aerial threats.

On March 13, 2025, Hensoldt inaugurated a new radar anechoic chamber at its Ulm site in Germany, part of a wider effort to expand its production capabilities for the Spexer radar family. The total investment in this facility exceeds one million euros. The new chamber is designed to perform fully automated far-field and near-field measurements of AESA (Active Electronically Scanning Array) antennas, one of the most demanding procedures in radar system evaluation. This new setup reduces the throughput time required for each antenna, thereby enabling Hensoldt to transition toward series production and triple the output of its Spexer radars over the next three years.
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The Spexer 2000 radar family is a series of advanced, multi-domain surveillance systems designed for high-performance threat detection and classification across land, sea, and coastal domains. (Picture source: Hensoldt)

In response to the rapidly evolving threat environment faced by modern military forces, Hensoldt has developed the Spexer 2000 radar family, a series of advanced, multi-domain surveillance systems designed for high-performance threat detection and classification across land, sea, and coastal domains. This radar family provides situational awareness capabilities that support ground-based air defence, convoy and battlefield surveillance, border protection, and maritime security. By employing X-band pulse-Doppler radar technology and active electronically scanned array (AESA) architecture, the Spexer 2000 could support situational awareness and early threat detection by automatically detecting and classifying a broad range of surface and aerial threats. These include pedestrians, vehicles, micro-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), loitering munitions, helicopters, fighter aircraft, and small maritime vessels.

The Spexer 2000 is integrated into Rheinmetall’s Skyranger 30 air defense vehicle and is used in several German programs: cUAS Feldlager (ASUL), qualified air defense, HoWiSM (which uses a high-energy laser for drone defense), and the Near and Very Short Range Air Defence System (NNbS). The Spexer 2000 operates as an X-band pulse-Doppler radar based on Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology. It provides sub-clutter visibility intended to enable detection in environments with significant interference or movement. The system incorporates flexible multi-beam technology to improve radar coverage and adaptability to different environments, operational sites, and platforms. These features are designed to allow simultaneous target search and tracking, including support for artillery guidance.

Target classification is enhanced by spectral-based micro-Doppler processing, which allows the radar to automatically differentiate between multiple target types. This includes small, slow, or low-observable aerial targets such as UAVs, as well as high-speed projectiles, including those reaching hypersonic velocities. A high update rate and the ability to track multiple targets at once are designed to provide operators with continuous situational data. This information can be integrated into sensor-to-shooter networks to support rapid response and engagement.

The system is intended to address operational challenges posed by new types of threats, including drone swarms and explosive UAVs operated via first-person view (FPV) systems. These threats are in addition to traditional ones such as artillery attacks. The radar’s sub-clutter visibility and target classification functions are designed to support early detection and improved threat management. The antenna architecture of the Spexer 2000 radar is scalable and modular, allowing for adaptation to various operational needs.

The Spexer 2000 3D MKIII variant is intended for land applications, including ground-based air defence and counter-UAS operations. It uses AESA-based X-band pulse-Doppler technology and is designed to track low-observable aerial targets such as small UAVs. The system is also configured to support battlefield surveillance and provide guidance for ground-based air defence effectors. It features multi-panel AESA antennas, track-while-scan capability for over 300 targets per 120° sector, and electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM). These characteristics are intended to ensure detection in high-clutter environments, including urban operational areas.

For mobile operations, the Spexer 2000 3D MKIII is equipped for scan-on-the-move functionality and 360° hemispheric coverage. This enables continuous operation during movement, such as in military convoys or reconnaissance missions, where persistent situational awareness is required. The system is intended to provide coverage whether stationary or in motion.

In addition to land applications, the Spexer 2000 3D MKIII is also optimised for naval and coastal operations, to detect asymmetric threats such as small, fast-moving vessels, jet skis, rubber dinghies, and surveillance UAVs. The radar’s performance is intended to remain stable under high sea-clutter conditions and during adverse weather. It is compatible with various effectors, including conventional gunfire, 30mm cannons, and high-energy laser systems. The system is intended to support maritime surveillance and protection of coastal infrastructure by delivering early warning and classification capabilities. Applications include port security and monitoring of shipping lanes to address risks such as piracy, smuggling, and asymmetric maritime attacks.

Detection ranges depend on target size and configuration. The Spexer 2000 detects a pedestrian (0.5 m² RCS) at 18–20 km, a UAV (0.2 m² RCS) at 9 km, a light vehicle (2.0 m² RCS) at 22 km, a small boat (1.5 m² RCS) at 20 km, and a helicopter (5.0 m² RCS) or truck (10.0 m² RCS) at 36 km. Light aircraft (3.0 m² RCS) can be detected at 27 km. The radar offers azimuth coverage from 120° to 360°, elevation coverage from 15° up to 90°, and optionally supports mechanical elevation tilting of ±20°. It can be installed as a fixed land-based system on masts or as a transportable setup on tripods, with optional radomes for protection in desert or extreme conditions.

Hensoldt, based in Taufkirchen near Munich, is a European defence technology company providing sensor solutions for defence and security applications. The company develops and integrates platform-independent, networked sensors and invests in software-defined defence technologies. Hensoldt has also expanded into new service models and system solution portfolios. In 2024, it recorded a turnover of 2.24 billion euros. After acquiring ESG GmbH, Hensoldt employs approximately 9,000 personnel. The company is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and is included in the MDAX index.