Czech Firm ERA’s Passive Sensors and Multi-Sensor Tracking Capabilities to Integrate with Diehl’s IRIS-T SLM

Diehl Defence and the Czech firm ERA, a member of the OMNIPOL group, have signed an MoU at the ILA Airshow in Berlin to enhance cooperation in passive sensors and multi-sensor tracking for ground-based air defense systems (GBAD).

ERA, headquartered in the Czech Republic, is a company that deals with multilateration, multistatic, and reconnaissance technology.

The agreement outlines the mutual intent of both companies to enhance Diehl Defence's GBAD systems, particularly the IRIS-T SLM, with ERA's Passive ESM Tracker (PET). Additionally, access to ERA's Multi-Sensor Tracker (MST) will enable real-time data fusion of active and passive sensors. GBAD systems, such as the IRIS-T SLM, stand to benefit from PET's real-time detection, tracking, and identification capabilities of airborne targets, including fast movers and UAVs.

The integration of passive sensors fills a critical gap in GBAD systems, making them less susceptible to electronic warfare tactics. The availability of additional passive surveillance system options is expected to be particularly appealing to nations participating in the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), which was launched by the German government in 2022 to bolster air defense capabilities across Europe.

At the ILA Airshow, ERA personnel are co-staffing Diehl Defence's display of GBAD systems in the Defence Park, showcasing the integration of ERA's PET and MST into the Diehl Defence GBAD system simulation within the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) of an IRIS-T SLM fire unit.