Sensor solutions specialist HENSOLDT has achieved a major technology development milestone that substantially enhances the detection capabilities of Ground-based Air Defence (GBAD) systems. The company implemented and successfully tested a software enhancement with its proven MSSR 2000 ID secondary radar that allows for precise tracking of aircraft in addition to the conventional surveillance mode of Identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) systems. A so-called “stop & stare mode” allows GBAD systems to process identification tracks in specific sectors in near-real time and very precisely. 

The new feature uses electronic beam steering and automatized antenna control in order to enable the user to progress from the rather ordinary surveillance operation to a very focused lock-on and track mode. Thereby, the distinction between friendly and hostile forces is substantially accelerated, and thus, the protection of forces on the ground considerably improved.