Airbus Defence & Space has established a new sensor and electronics entity that will be responsible for the sales of this technology under a separate branch.
The newly-formed subsidiary of the aircraft manufacturer, Airbus DS Electronics and Border Security, was established with the support of investment firm KKR at the beginning of the year, the company announced during the ILA air show in Berlin. The sale of shares related to the deal will close by the beginning of next year, at which point the company will be rebranded “Hensoldt” after German optics pioneer Moritz Carl Hensoldt.
“We have decided to combine the sensor technologies of Airbus Defence and Space together with the associated electronics and to create a new sensor house outside of the Airbus Group, since we are convinced that defence electronics will constitute a profitable growth market following its own laws,” Thomas Müller, managing director of the new division, says.
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Technology covered by the new company includes missile warning systems, border surveillance equipment, radar, optronics and electronic warfare systems.
The Eurofighter Typhoon that is operational with the German air force, among others, uses an Airbus self-protection system, and a missile warning system by the company is used on the NH Industries NH90 and Airbus Helicopters Tiger rotorcraft.
“We are very successful on the international market in this area, where our MILDS missile warner is practically the standard sensor for helicopters and transport aircraft,” Müller says. “With our ASR-NG, we have the most powerful airport surveillance radar system in the world, and we are responsible for the development of the antenna for Eurofighter’s Captor-E radar.” Müller also expects Airbus to play a part in upgrading the German air forces Sikorsky CH-53 helicopter.
“By bringing these technologies together under a single roof, we can take even greater advantage of the potential of sensor fusion to create more efficient sensor solutions,” he adds.
Source: Flight Daily News
