HENSOLDT Secures €15 Million Bundeswehr Contract to Further Develop Optarion Mission Support System for Networked Airborne Operations

HENSOLDT Secures €15 Million Bundeswehr Contract to Further Develop Optarion Mission Support System for Networked Airborne Operations

(IN BRIEF) HENSOLDT has received a €15 million development contract from BAAINBw to continue the development of its Optarion mission support system, a ground-based platform that connects airborne assets with digital command and control networks without requiring modifications to the aircraft themselves. The Optarion EUA links systems including the Bundeswehr’s Battle Management System with aircraft such as the Tiger, NH90 and CH-53GA helicopters, allowing them to participate in networked tactical information environments. The development follows the Software-Defined Defence approach, using software-based integration to reduce technical effort, cost and configuration changes while improving operational flexibility and interoperability. HENSOLDT released two EUA versions last year, including an updated Bundeswehr IT platform, while the latest version supports the Tiger “Bootes” and “MR3+” configurations. The company has also delivered a related Mission Planning Ground Station to an unnamed NATO customer and received a follow-up order, demonstrating international interest in the Optarion product family and its role in supporting Germany and allied forces.

(PRESS RELEASE) TAUFKIRCHEN, 9-Sep-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — HENSOLDT has secured a further development contract worth €15 million from the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) for its Optarion mission support system, continuing development of the ground-based platform that connects airborne assets with digital command and control networks.

The contract covers the next phase of development of the Optarion EUA ground station, which links command and control information systems, including the Bundeswehr’s Battle Management System (BMS), with Army airborne platforms.

The system is designed to integrate both existing and future aircraft into networked tactical command structures without requiring modifications to the aircraft themselves.

Optarion connects airborne platforms with digital command networks

The Optarion EUA acts as an interface between command and control information systems and airborne platforms.

As a ground station, it currently supports the Tiger, NH90 and CH-53GA helicopters, integrating them into the armed forces’ networked tactical information infrastructure.

HENSOLDT said the architecture allows aircraft already in operational service to participate in digital command and control environments without changes to their onboard configuration.

This approach is intended to reduce technical effort and associated costs while increasing operational flexibility.

Development aligned with Software-Defined Defence approach

The Optarion programme follows the principles of Software-Defined Defence (SDD), in which software and digital architectures are used to introduce or expand military capabilities without requiring extensive hardware modifications.

By handling integration through the mission support ground station, existing aircraft can be connected to modern command and control networks while retaining their current onboard configurations.

HENSOLDT sees this as a way to accelerate capability upgrades and improve interoperability across multiple platforms and services.

€15 million contract continues Bundeswehr development programme

The new BAAINBw award extends HENSOLDT’s ongoing development work on Optarion and supports further evolution of the system for the German Army and Air Force, as well as potential international users.

Alex Irmscher, Programme Manager for Ground Stations at HENSOLDT, said Optarion enables both existing and newly introduced platforms to be incorporated into digital command networks without aircraft modifications.

He said the latest contract will allow HENSOLDT to continue developing the system for German armed forces users and international customers.

Latest version supports additional Tiger configurations

HENSOLDT released two Optarion EUA versions last year, including an updated IT platform for the Bundeswehr.

The company said these releases represented another step toward operational readiness.

The latest version supports the KHT Tiger combat helicopter in both the “Bootes” and “MR3+” configurations, expanding operational capabilities and interoperability for the platform.

The system therefore provides a common ground-based integration layer capable of connecting different aircraft configurations to networked command structures.

International NATO customer has already received related system

HENSOLDT has also supplied an international configuration of the same software version in the form of an MPGS, or Mission Planning Ground Station, to an unnamed NATO customer.

A decision was subsequently made to award a follow-up contract for the ground station to the same customer.

HENSOLDT said this international deployment demonstrates growing demand for the Optarion product family beyond Germany and supports the company’s activities with NATO partners.

Optarion supports interoperability across multiple aircraft types

By supporting platforms including Tiger, NH90 and CH-53GA helicopters, Optarion is designed to provide a common interface between aircraft and wider digital command systems.

This enables airborne assets to exchange and use information within broader networked tactical structures while reducing the need for individual platform modifications.

The approach is particularly relevant for armed forces operating mixed fleets, where modernization must often be carried out across aircraft of different generations and configurations.

HENSOLDT expands mission support capabilities for German and allied forces

The latest development contract reinforces HENSOLDT’s role in the modernization of command, control and mission support systems for the Bundeswehr.

The company is positioning Optarion as a flexible integration solution for linking airborne platforms to digital military networks in line with the growing emphasis on software-defined and network-centric defence capabilities.

The international MPGS deployment also demonstrates the potential for the Optarion architecture to be used by allied armed forces seeking to integrate existing aircraft into increasingly connected operational environments.

HENSOLDT is a leading European high-tech company in the defence and security industry, headquartered in Taufkirchen near Munich. For decades the name HENSOLDT has stood for mission-critical sensors, optronics and electronics, proven in real operations across all domains – land, air, sea, cyber and space.

That technological depth is now the foundation for a strategic shift: from sensor solutions provider to Neo System House and pacesetter for Software-Defined Defence, turning data into operational superiority.

In 2025 the company generated revenue of approximately EUR 2.46 billion and currently has around 10,000 employees. HENSOLDT is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and is part of the MDAX.

Media Contact:

Alexander F. Ogger
Communications Manager Multi-Domain Solutions, Optronics
email: alexander.ogger@hensoldt.net
Tel: +49 7364 9557 984

SOURCE: HENSOLDT