ERA and Airbus Integrate Passive Sensor Data for Next-Gen Air Defence

At the recent ILA Berlin Air Show, ERA and Airbus Defence and Space demonstrated the first tangible results of their cooperation within the framework of Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD). Signed in August 2025, the partnership aims to integrate ERA’s passive surveillance data into Airbus air defence Command and Control (C2) solutions.

The demonstration showcased the seamless integration of data from ERA’s VERA-NG passive electronic support measures tracker (PET) system with Airbus Defence and Space’s Fortion® 1SkyControl air battle management software. During the demonstration, the Airbus system successfully received, displayed, and replayed VERA-NG data within a simulated scenario alongside active radar data. This integration proved the significant operational benefits of a fused sensor approach, substantially increasing situational awareness - particularly in low-altitude airspace.

“The expansion of the AirC2 system with a passive PET system is a milestone ,” said Andreas Reinecke, Head of Defence Digital & Cyber at Airbus Defence and Space. “This development will deliver significant operational advantages to Airbus Defence and Space and ERA customers in the future.”

This milestone marks the first tangible result of the Airbus Defence and Space-ERA cooperation. Future efforts will focus on using the VERA-NG data for classification and the exploration of electromagnetic spectrum capabilities to strengthen the IAMD offerings of both companies.

Furthermore, a parallel stream of integration activities targets civil-military cooperation. By integrating Airbus Defence and Space’s military 1SkyControl with ERA’s civil air traffic management system, ERIS, both companies are implementing a "system-of-systems" approach. This aims to provide complete military and civil situational awareness from a single workstation, while fully complying with both military and civilian certification requirements.

“We are pleased to see this cooperation expanding,” commented Ondřej Chlost, CEO of ERA, a.s. “There is growing customer interest not only in integrating VERA-NG data into C2 systems but also in breaking down the silos between military and civil airspace management.”