Annual Report 2023

With three thematically consolidated sections along the main application fields, a Project Management Office, and tailored structures in administration, the institute has set the course for continued future success.  

Fraunhofer FHR has restructured: To provide even more targeted research and development services tailored to the needs of his customers and partners, the institute has consolidated its unique competencies in radar and high-frequency technologies across Europe into three main application fields: Multifunctional High-Frequency and Radar Systems (MFR), Radar for Space Situational Awareness (RWL), and Industrial High-Frequency Systems (IHS).  

Fraunhofer FHR leverages flexibly adapted roadmaps to meet customer needs, thereby enhancing his competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market environment: From tailored single sensors to complex large-scale projects, systems, and subsystems, from feasibility studies and simulations to prototype development and pilot production runs.

In addition, a Project Management Office (PMO) has been introduced to efficiently and quality-assuredly handle large projects. The organizational processing of projects has also been optimized through a process-oriented restructuring of our Administration (VW).  

The implementation of Fraunhofer FHR‘s projects remains unaffected and will proceed as usual. Existing contacts will also remain the same. The three thematically bundled sections are as follows:  

Multifunctional High-Frequency and Radar Systems (MFR)  

With innovative multifunctional high-frequency and radar systems, we lead important large projects like FCAS across Europe and make a significant contribution to the »turning point«.  

For decades, we have dominated defense radar research with our expertise and experimental systems. Unique competencies and an enormously valuable wealth of experience have been developed across the entire institute. We are now consolidating all these efforts in the Multifunctional High-Frequency and Radar Systems Sections. This allows for the close integration of hardware and software in shared architectures with coordinated interfaces and targeted data exchange. In this way, we can support the Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg), German Armed Forces and the defense industry in Germany and Europe even more effectively than before with innovative, valuable components for future defense systems to maintain Germany and Europe‘s sovereignty.  

Radar for Space Situational Awareness (RWL)  

Space under one roof: We combine research and cutting-edge technologies in reconnaissance and surveillance for greater security in space for the benefit of society.  

Detecting, tracking, and imaging objects in near-Earth space – our unique procedures and systems in Europe already make an enormously valuable contribution to protecting our space infrastructure. In the newly designed Radar for Space Situational Awareness section, we are consolidating our extensive expertise in radar-based analysis and characterization of space objects with cutting-edge technologies like TIRA and GESTRA, as well as prospectively space-based radar systems. Our goal: To lead Europe in the research and development of innovative systems and procedures for security in near-Earth space.  

Industrial High-Frequency Systems (IHS)  

We aim to become the number one in Germany for modern mobility solutions and inline measurement technology with our radar research. Industrial high-frequency systems are used today in industrial measurement technology, mobility solutions, medical technology, and environmental monitoring. As diverse as the applications of radar are, so comprehensive and equally deep are the competencies of our knowledge carriers for these applications. By consolidating these into one section, we will become the key player for the German industry in the customized development of high-frequency sensors, including the combination of sensors and communication and quantum electronics.