Our Heritage
HENSOLDT was originally built from various former Airbus activities in the areas of defence and security electronics. Later more defence companies joined the group. All activities are linked to sensor technologies, mutually augmenting their respective strengths and reaping synergies from operation under one roof.
Built on pioneering spirit
Our company’s know-how is based on the pioneering spirit of our renowned predecessor companies, including AEG, Aerospatiale-Matra, Carl Zeiss, Cassidian, Daimler, Dornier, EADS, Siemens, Telefunken, and Airbus. These pioneers have driven technological advancements to enhance threat detection and protect our societies and citizens.
HENSOLDT has further expanded its capabilities through strategic acquisitions. These include the German company Euroavionics, British radar specialist Kelvin Hughes, and the start-up PentaTec. We also integrated the French company Nexeya and IE Asia-Pacific into our portfolio. With the acquisition of Tellumat, we strengthened our radar expertise in South Africa. Additionally, the integration of ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH reinforced our position as a leading European provider of seamlessly integrated solutions.
Our brand journey
We unite known names in defence and security electronics under one roof. HENSOLDT is built from various former Airbus activities. In addition, HENSOLDT acquired the German company Euroavionics and British radar specialist Kelvin Hughes as well as the start-up PentaTec. Moreover, HENSOLDT acquired the French-based company Nexeya, IE Asia-Pacific and Tellumat in South Africa. Most recently, the acquisition of ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH contributed substantially to our system capabilities.
The HENSOLDT brand, which has been in use for many years for our telescopic sights and targeting optics portfolio, derives from Moritz Carl HENSOLDT (1821-1903), a German pioneer of optics and precision mechanics, who developed benchmark technology solutions and products in his domain. The spirit of technological progress, of continuous quest for premium solutions reined in by a solid, practical sense of efficiency, made the name “HENSOLDT” a perfect choice to represent our company.
Where tradition and innovation come together
Our companies name derives from Moritz Carl HENSOLDT (1821-1903), a German pioneer of optics and precision mechanics, who developed benchmark technology solutions and products in his domain. Among other activities, he developed binoculars and telescopic sights revolutionizing surveillance and reconnaissance as well as target acquisition in his time.
It is his relentless pursuit of innovation, his incomparable way of translating scientific findings into useful products that unites perfectly with the achievements of other heroes of technology who together form the heritage of our company.
A history of firsts
TimelineIn our company history of more than 125 years, many inventions took place. We show just an extract of the most prominent ones.
Detect and Avoid Radar
HENSOLDT and Diehl developed the demonstrator of a sensor system for avoiding collisions between aircraft. Such a sensor system consisting of a radar and a camera can reliably detect objects in the flight path of UAVs. The recognition of such situations is one of the essential requirements for deploying unmanned aerial vehicles in controlled airspace.
SETAS vision system
HENSOLDT demonstrates the initial fitting and operating activities of its newly developed electro-optical vision system SETAS (See-through Armour System) with the British Army’s Armoured Trials and Development Unit (ATDU) in Bovington.
TwInvis Passive Radar
HENSOLDT presented its passive radar system TwInvis to the public for the first time in live operation during that year’s International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin.
Xpeller Counter UAV System
HENSOLDT introduces Xpeller, its first counter drone system, which reliably detects even extremely small UAVs at a distance of several kilometres.
Laser Altimeter for space (BELA)
First European Laser Altimeter (BELA) qualified for space.
Targeting optics for GLADIUS
Development and production of a modular targeting system for the enhanced German Future Soldier project “Infanterist der Zukunft – Erweitertes System”.
Data link in space
We realize the first optical data link (5.5 GBit/s) in space between two LEO satellites.
ATTICA - 3rd generation thermal imager
Serial production of ATTICA, the third-generation thermal imager, starts. The G-Class is introduced as a system solution with a Multi sensor platform.
METEOSAT - Earth observation
Meteorological satellite METEOSAT uses optics from Oberkochen for earth observation.
SERO 400 & OMS 100
Development of the submarine periscope SERO 400 with laser rangefinder and optronic mast system OMS 100 start, including a high resolution thermal imager and an HDTV-camera.
RecceLite
RecceLite, a reconnaissance pod for tactical aircraft, is being developed.
OPHELIOS
Construction of the digital IR-camera OPHELIOS starts. Other important projects like the RecceLite, a reconnaissance pod for tactical aircraft and the development of eye-safe laser rangefinders with a very long range are starting in the 1990 following years.
EuroNav
The first generation of mission management suits for helicopters is developed by EUROAVIONICS.
Border Security Systems
Start of the border surveillance business with sensor technology. Since then, more than 900 Systems ranging from a number of vehicle platforms to boats, mast systems, buoys, containers, camp protection and tripods, have been delivered.
Hellas
We start development of Hellas, the first obstacle warning system for Helicopters.
APG-65
We equip the F-4 Phantom fighter aircraft with an airborne radar.
TRS-3D/16
We start development of the TRS-3D/16 naval radar, which is still in use with nations today
MILDS
We develop the first generation of the missile warning system MILDS which in newer generations is still in use with armed forces.
EK33 HUMMEL
We equip the electronic attack vehicle EK33 Hummel of the German Bundeswehr with an innovative jammer.
WBG-X thermal imager
Serial production of the WBG-X thermal imager based on the common module principle for armoured vehicles (Leopard 1, Leopard 2, Marder, Luchs) by ZEISS Optronics begins. In addition, the development of an optronic submarine periscope starts.
TMR MPDR
The "Tiefflieger-Melde-Radar" MPDR is one of the first mobile puls-doppler radars for air surveillance.
Stabilized tank persicope
With our ZEISS Optronics predecessor company, we produce the PERI-R 12, the world’s first stabilized panoramic periscope, for the German main battle tank Leopard 1. It includes the stereoscopic rangefinder EMES 12.
ASR 3
The ASR-3, a first generation ATC radar by AEG Telefunken, is demonstrated to the public at a fair in Berlin.
TELEGON I
The TELEGON 1, an innovative direction finder, is developed.
Marine radar type 1
Kelvin Hughes develops the first marine radar type 1.
Thermal imaging
We become the leading pioneer in thermal imagers with long-range heat sensors and tracking devices (WPG DONAU).
Würzburg-Riese
Telefunken develops the first air defence radar.
Antireflection coating
With the invention of antireflection coating by Alexander Smakula, the light transmission in binoculars and riflescopes can be increased to 80 per cent.
Handheld stereoscopic
The first handheld stereoscopic is developed.
Telemobiloskop
Christian Hülsmeyer presents to the public the first radar-based system, the "Telemobiloskop" which can detect objects via the Doppler effect.
1st Periscope
The first periscope for the German submarine “Forelle” is developed and manufactured. It can be moved up and down by the submarine crew and is ground breaking for the German submarine forces.
1st Binoculars with roof prism
Moritz Hensoldt develops the world‘s first binoculars with roof prisms.
Moritz Hensoldt
A prism binocular, a scissors telescope and an optical rangefinder are invented and manufactured.
Riflescope for the Prussian army
Following the exchange of letters between Ernst Abbe and Lieutenant Carl Freiherr Beaulieu-Marconnay, the development of a riflescope for the Prussian army begins. This marks the first step in over 125 years of experience in the defence and security industry.