- The agreement will integrate passive RF sensors into Rheinmetall’s air defense architecture
- Silvus Technologies’ RFeye sensors will complement Rheinmetall’s existing radar coverage
- The partnership aims to strengthen air defense threat detection
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG has partnered with Silvus Technologies to integrate passive radio frequency sensing into Rheinmetall’s ground-based air defense systems, aiming to improve threat detection and situational awareness against emerging aerial threats.
How Will the Technology Strengthen Air Defense Operations?
The integration will bring Silvus Technologies’ RFeye sensors to Rheinmetall’s Skynex air defense system and Skymaster command and control platform. The technology is designed to help air defense operators detect and locate aerial platforms by monitoring electromagnetic spectrum activity without actively transmitting signals.
The capability would support a more comprehensive air picture and a recognized electromagnetic picture.
The partnership comes after Rheinmetall’s previous collaboration with Hensoldt, which demonstrated the integration of passive sensor technology into its air defense architecture. During the German Air Force’s Timber Express 2026 exercise in Manching in August, the companies successfully integrated Hensoldt’s Twinvis passive radar into Rheinmetall’s Skymaster command and weapon engagement system.
What Are Executives Saying About the Partnership?
Peter Moss, director of strategic NATO accounts at Silvus Technologies, said the agreement reflects both companies’ commitment to delivering resilient air defense capabilities for allied forces.
“Combining RFeye technology and Rheinmetall’s air defense architecture gives operators critical situational awareness to inform quicker actions and safer decisions,” Moss added.
“Traditional detection methods alone can struggle with identifying new and novel threats in complex operating conditions,” said Roman Köhne, CEO of Rheinmetall Air Defence AG. “Integrating passive RF sensing into Skymaster enhances air defenders’ ability to respond effectively to emerging aerial threats,” he added.
What Is Silvus Technologies?
Founded in 2004, Silvus Technologies develops advanced multiple-input, multiple-output communication systems designed to transmit high-fidelity video, voice and data in challenging operating environments.
In 2011, the company leveraged its MIMO communications expertise to introduce the StreamCaster family of mobile ad hoc network, or MANET, radios.
Motorola Solutions completed its acquisition of Silvus Technologies in August 2025 in a transaction valued at approximately $4.4 billion. The deal included approximately $4.38 billion in cash and $20 million in restricted stock for certain Silvus employee equity holders.
Motorola said the acquisition would expand its presence in the growing unmanned systems market while complementing its existing land mobile radio and video technology portfolio.
The company has also expanded its portfolio into radio frequency sensing and spectrum intelligence technologies. In April, Silvus introduced the FASST 6000 Spectrum Sensor, a system designed to detect, record and locate radio frequency transmissions in contested environments.
Silvus designed the FASST 6000 for deployment as a standalone sensor or as part of a distributed sensing network. When integrated with at least three sensors through its StreamCaster MANET mesh network, the system supports real-time triangulation and geolocation of RF sources.
