- The two companies will combine state-of-the-art technologies
Haifa/Taufkirchen, October 20 th 2022 – Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. and sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT are joining forces to offer a readily-available, state-of-the-art and mature solution to the Luftwaffe’s requirement of airborne electronic warfare capabilities with Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in 2028. The exclusive teaming agreement was signed
in Tel Aviv on the 18 th of October, by Thomas Müller, CEO HENSOLDT, and Maj. Gen (ret.) Yoav Har-Even, President and CEO of RAFAEL.
RAFAEL and HENSOLDT agreed to embark on a joint endeavour to integrate and enhance
RAFAEL,s Sky Shield airborne electronic warfare pod as a mature off-the-shelf Escort Jammer
(ESJ), with the latest airborne electronic attack national sensitive technology (KALÆTRON
Attack) by HENSOLDT. This new capability supports the Luftwaffe,s decision to adapt the
Eurofighter Typhoon into an electronic attack platform. The new EA pod utilizes the existing
interfaces of the Litening Pod, already combat-proven on the Typhoon, thus significantly
simplifying the integration efforts and saving invaluable resources.
Together, RAFAEL and HENSOLDT bring the necessary experience not only as solution
providers for ESJ, but also in the programme environment of the Eurofighter and related
integration and certification processes.
HENSOLDT has developed the “Kalaetron Attack” Airborne Jamming System which recently
confirmed its effectiveness against various enemy air defence radars. It is part of HENSOLDT,s
fully digital ,Kalaetron, product family, which is used in self-protection and signal intelligence
systems in the German armed forces. In addition to cognitive software elements, the core
comprises a fully digitised, broadband sensor and an electronically controllable, software
defined jammer. Metallic 3D printing enabled a condensed design of the electronic components
so that the jammer can be easily integrated into pod formats commonly used worldwide or
directly into bodies of various flying platforms. The system,s effectiveness and responsiveness
are also based on artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, which enable the classification of
unknown threats in the field and the rapid evaluation of large amounts of data. In doing so, the
many years of in-depth experience in the development of jamming techniques against radars
were efficiently combined with the latest techniques of applying Edge AI computing.
RAFAEL,s Sky Shield Escort Jammer is a military-off-the-shelf solution already delivered to
several customers worldwide, therefore allowing for easy integration onto fast jet platforms.
Sky Shield leverages the vast experience of RAFAEL in the Electronic Warfare domain and its
experience with German Air Force platforms. By using AESA (Active Electronically Scanned
Array) technology, the single wideband jamming pod covers present and future high frequency
range while providing a High Effective Radiation Power (ERP). Sky Shield is able to generate
simultaneous jamming and deception transmissions against multiple threats, and its
commonality with existing technology, coupled with its open architecture, allow HENSOLDT
and RAFAEL to offer a very robust growth potential to address future challenges and provide
for exclusive national building blocks. RAFAEL serves as a centre of excellence for Electronic
Warfare and is the operator of Israel,s national EW range, possessing significant world-leading
expertise in this domain. Some of RAFAEL,s combat-proven, end-to-end airborne solutions are
in service in Germany, including the LITENING and RECCELITE Electro-Optic pods on the
Luftwaffe,s Eurofighter Typhoon. The company,s cutting-edge, life-saving defence solutions are
in service with numerous NATO-member nations, including the U.S and across Europe.
“Our companies are experts in airborne electronic warfare and combine latest technology with
battle-proven equipment”, says Thomas Müller, CEO HENSOLDT. “Based on these skills and
supported by existing government-to-government agreements, we are able to offer the
Luftwaffe a sovereign solution to the timely capability transfer of the ECR Tornado and, at the
same time, to expand the capabilities of the Eurofighter by an escort jamming solution proven in
modern operational scenarios.”
RAFAEL,s President and CEO, Mr. Yoav Har-Even: “Our new partnership with HENSOLDT is
a significant milestone in expanding Rafael’s strategic investments in Germany. This
collaboration is a direct result of Rafael’s strategy to apply localization and ensure local
sovereignty. HENSOLDT and RAFAEL share a common vision, unique knowledge, and an
organizational culture of excellence. Under the leadership of HENSOLDT, these will come
together synergistically to provide the Luftwaffe with top-notch EW/EA capabilities, necessary
to address current and future threats and challenges.”
