State-of-the-art radar applications in support of the German Armed Forces, industry and society: at the 11th Wachtberg Forum of the Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques FHR on June 21-22, 2023, the institute presented a wide range of its research results. More than 130 guests from business and defense, science and industry attended the event on the campus in Wachtberg-Werthhoven around the TIRA space observation radar. The program included an exhibition and technical presentations with live demonstrations. Major General Traut, Commander of the German Armed Forces Space Command, was invited to give the keynote address this year.

In the large exhibition area, Fraunhofer FHR scientists presented current projects of the institute in the fields of defense, space and security. Numerous applications of radar and high-frequency research were demonstrated to the visitors in a very practical way.

The lectures took place in front of the impressive backdrop of the interior of the space observation radar TIRA, spanned by the "sphere", the trademark of the institute visible from afar. The program of the first day included the presentation of the new structure of Fraunhofer FHR and the topic "Radar as a key technology for space situational awareness". In his keynote speech, Major General Traut emphasized the growing importance of safety in space - both in terms of Space Safety, i.e. the prevention of accidents and unintended risks, and in the area of Space Security, which includes the defense against intentionally induced risks and threats.

In the panel discussion that followed, this topic was explored in greater depth against the backdrop of various issues. The panel included Dr. Gerald Braun, civil. Head of Space Situation Center, German Space Agency at DLR, Ulrich Schull, Head of National Future Programs and Proposals AIRBUS, Thomas Spangenberg, Head of Division Space Security and Space Operations BMVg, Christoph Reising, Program Director GESTRA and Division Head PMO, Fraunhofer FHR and Frank Schlichthaber, Radar Expert Space Observation with TIRA, Fraunhofer FHR on how vulnerable space infrastructure is, what is needed to protect it effectively, and how predictions can be further refined in the face of increasing traffic and space debris in orbit.

On the second day, presentations focused on "Radar as a Key Technology for Defense and Security." Here, topics on the agenda included satellite-based passive radar, simulation and application of electronic reconnaissance, and ultra-high resolution drone SAR. Special highlights of the presentations on both days were the vivid live demonstrations of the capabilities of the systems presented, which were transmitted via video from the exhibition site to the lectures.

"We are delighted with a high-caliber, all-around successful event. The Wachtberg Forum 2023 brought together numerous players from the industry and triggered a lot of exchange, cooperation and networking in the field of radar, the technology of the future. The great interest of the visitors from industry, defense and research shows us that we make an important contribution to solving current and future challenges of society with our radar and radio frequency applications," said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Knott, Director of Fraunhofer FHR.

Since 2010, the Wachtberg Forum has provided an annual platform for exchange and networking with customers and partners of Fraunhofer FHR. For the first time, the event took place "from noon to noon", allowing an atmospheric end to the first day in the evening in the most beautiful summer weather with ample opportunity for exchange. The weather gods were kind to the Wachtberg Forum again this year and saved the grand finale for exactly the end of the event: After the end of the presentations, the announced thunderstorm began - but the guests were able to wait it out in the tent at the lunch buffet before everyone headed back home.