Annual Report 2023

Dear Readers, Dear Partners and Friends of Fraunhofer FHR,

2023 has been a very dynamic year for Fraunhofer FHR. In addition to our research projects, the focus was on shaping our institute‘s structure for the future. The goal is to increasingly bring our competencies in research and development of new radar and high-frequency technologies directly to the benefit of our customers and partners in application.

To this end, we have consolidated our efforts along our main application fields in the three sections of Multifunctional High-Frequency and Radar Systems (MFR), Industrial High-Frequency Systems (IHS), and Radar for Space Situational Awareness (RWL) (pp. 8 and 9). With the newly established Project Management Office (PMO), we ensure that we master our major projects from planning to acceptance with confidence. Through the new establishment of our administration, the interaction of administration and technical sections was initiated into a profitable symbiosis. In mid-October, Camilla Szpurka and Marcus Lieber took over the management of the administration. We are pleased to have gained two Fraunhofer-experienced administration and science management experts.

The institute experienced a special premiere in October: For the first time, a federal minister responsible for science and research, Minister Ina Brandes, visited Fraunhofer FHR. The minister was informed about current projects at the Villip and Werthhoven locations, including TIRA and GESTRA, and was enthusiastic about our »Cutting-edge research made in NRW« (pp. 20 and 21).

The trade fair highlights of 2023 for us was the European Microwave Week in September in Berlin. A large team from the institute participated with two booths and numerous workshops and lectures. In addition to the joint booth with TNO, CITC, and Fraunhofer IAF, the terahertz.NRW booth showcased the progress of the research network launched in 2022. Here, a consortium coordinated by Fraunhofer FHR is working to further develop the potential of THz technology.

Our 11th Wachtberg Forum in June showcased state-of-the-art radar applications to support the German Armed Forces, industry, and society. A special honor was the participation of Major General Michael Traut, Commander of the Space Command of the German Armed Forces. The great interest of the over 130 visitors once again underscored the contribution of our applications to solving current and future challenges (pp. 18 and 19). The 12th Wachtberg Forum will take place on June 27, 2024. Save the date!

We wish you an engaging read of the news from Fraunhofer FHR and the selection of exciting projects from the wide range of our research work.

Best regards

Peter Knott, Dirk Heberling