Airbus links German and Swedish air defence in NATO exercise
Airbus integrated German IRIS-T SLM and Swedish Patriot into the SAMOC command post during NATO exercise SPARTAN ARROW 26 in Crete, plus German LeFlaSys.
The story in focus
Airbus Defence and Space integrated German IRIS-T SLM and Swedish Patriot air defence systems into the German SAMOC command post during NATO exercise SPARTAN ARROW 26 in Crete, the company said. IRIS-T SLM completed its first live firing with real missiles by an all-German crew, while Sweden ran its first independent Patriot live firing via the network.
- German IRIS-T SLM and Swedish Patriot were both connected to the German SAMOC command post for the first time.
- The IRIS-T SLM live firing by an all-German crew is a prerequisite for official NATO certification, according to Airbus.
- Sweden's first independent Patriot live firing via the networked system marked NATO certification and validation of those systems.
What was demonstrated
Airbus Defence and Space integrated key components of bi-national air defence during NATO exercise SPARTAN ARROW 26 in Crete. The German Air Force IRIS-T SLM system and the Swedish Air Force Patriot system were connected to the German SAMOC (Surface to Air Missile Operations Centre) command post, which Airbus describes as the central software hub for coordinating air defence weapons.
The company said the integration allowed networking against drones and cruise missiles under realistic conditions and in real time, in cooperation with the German and Swedish armed forces.
Firings and interoperability
IRIS-T SLM was coordinated through SAMOC during its first live firing with real missiles by an all-German crew, which Airbus called a key prerequisite for official NATO certification. The Swedish Air Force simultaneously completed its first independent Patriot live firing via the networked system, marking NATO certification and validation of the Swedish Patriot systems and demonstrating bi-national interoperability with Germany.
Airbus also networked the German Army's Light Air Defence System, LeFlaSys, for short-range drone protection, creating a connected multi-layered defence chain spanning long, medium and short distances.
Data and outlook
Airbus said performance data gathered under real operational conditions on bandwidth, response time and jam resistance will feed into further development of NATO's networked command and control capabilities. Andreas Reinecke, Head of Defence Digital & Cyber at Airbus Defence and Space, said effective air defence results from an integrated overall capability rather than individual products.
What does the IRIS-T SLM live firing mean for NATO certification?
Airbus said coordinating IRIS-T SLM through SAMOC during its first live firing with real missiles by an all-German crew is a key prerequisite for official NATO certification of the system.
Sources & further reading
Help keep the record accurate. Send a correction.
