A modified PC-12 and a SHARCS drone carried out a successful EC mission, validating the German luWES program against enemy ground-to-air defenses.

In June 2025, Germany conducted the first operational demonstration of electromagnetic air warfare (Electronic Combat, EC) on its territory. The test was carried out as part of the national luWES (Luftgestützte Wirkung im elektromagnetischen Spektrum) program, which aims to provide the Bundeswehr with comprehensive electronic jamming and neutralization capabilities. A simulated mission to evacuate civilians from a hostile area was successfully carried out using a Pilatus PC-12, modified for remote jamming, and a SHARCS drone tasked with disrupting enemy communications. An Airbus A400M transport aircraft was able to land without being detected by the simulated SA-8 air defense system. All mission data was processed via a secure cloud network, with artificial intelligence assisting in signal analysis. This demonstration validates Germany’s technical choices in non-kinetic electronic warfare and marks the start of the industrial phase of the luWES program, which is expected to be fully operational in the coming years.

Successful demonstration mission against a simulated SA-8 system

The demonstration took place at the Manching base in Bavaria and involved close coordination between the manufacturers Airbus, HENSOLDT, Rohde & Schwarz, MBDA, PLATH, bKEC, IBM and Schönhofer. The scenario was based on the evacuation of civilians from a crisis zone, protected by an SA-8 Osa surface-to-air defense system capable of detecting targets at a range of more than 25 kilometers and engaging them at altitudes of up to 12 km.

A PC-12, modified with listening sensors and jamming transmitters, was used as a stand-off jammer. It located, identified, and neutralized the SA-8 system without firing any ammunition, using electromagnetic signals to disrupt its operation. This type of maneuver temporarily disables enemy radar and missile capabilities while avoiding the collateral effects of kinetic strikes.

Once the jamming was established, an A400M was able to simulate the landing and evacuation of civilians without being detected or engaged. This sequence demonstrates the tactical effectiveness of well-coordinated jamming and the Bundeswehr’s ability to conduct missions in denied environments without resorting to destructive force.

The role of the SHARCS drone and digital infrastructure

The demonstration also relied on an experimental SHARCS (Signal High Agility Relay & Communication Suppression) drone, operating as a stand-in jammer. This type of drone operates in close proximity to the enemy to jam communications or disrupt enemy command and control. Thanks to its small size and low radar signature, the SHARCS can approach installations undetected and apply targeted jamming.

All data—detection, identification, effect assessment, mission feedback—was processed via a secure cloud-based network. Artificial intelligence algorithms analyzed the signals captured in real time to refine the choice of jamming frequencies, maximize the disruptive effect, and avoid interference between friendly platforms.

This digital infrastructure permanently connects the various elements of the system: aircraft, drones, command centers, and electromagnetic environment simulators. It enables immediate tactical coordination, reducing reaction times to a few seconds. This distributed architecture meets the requirements of modern air combat, which is saturated with signals and highly mobile.

The ability to combine multiple layers of electronic warfare—stand-off, stand-in, escort—in an interconnected framework is at the heart of the luWES concept, which is in line with NATO tactical standards.

A modular architecture designed for modern combat

The luWES program, initiated by the German Ministry of Defense, aims to implement a modular architecture enabling the Bundeswehr to conduct electromagnetic operations independently of its allies. The program is based on three complementary types of platforms:

• Stand-off jammers: long-range aircraft equipped with powerful jamming systems operating on the outskirts of hostile areas. They operate beyond the range of enemy air defenses. The PC-12 currently being tested is one such aircraft, as is the future A400M EW.
• Escort jammers: aircraft or pods mounted on fighters, flying alongside strike forces to provide immediate cover. The Typhoon-EK, a variant of the Eurofighter Typhoon, will be equipped with the Kalaetron Attack pod developed by HENSOLDT.
• Stand-in jammers: drones or missiles that slip inside enemy defenses to precisely disrupt command nodes. Systems such as MBDA’s SPEAR-EW and SHARCS illustrate this category.

Ultimately, all of these capabilities will be integrated into a digital chain of action, with the aim of providing continuous operational coverage of the electromagnetic spectrum. The integration of intelligence assets such as the Bombardier Global 6500 PEGASUS, which specializes in strategic listening, will complete this system.

Strategic implications for German and European defense

The success of this demonstration gives Germany a significant advantage in a technological field that has been dominated by the United States until now. By equipping itself with national electronic warfare solutions, Berlin intends to strengthen its strategic autonomy and contribute to the rise of the European defense industry.

Electromagnetic warfare is a rapidly growing sector, estimated to be worth more than €25 billion by 2032 worldwide. Germany aims to play a major role in this sector through the development and export of modular, interoperable solutions tailored to the budgetary constraints of European countries and NATO partners.

From a military perspective, the ability to neutralize a ground-to-air defense network without firing or striking allows for more discreet, politically acceptable interventions, particularly in evacuation, rapid deployment, or crisis management scenarios. The luWES program would also compensate for the shortcomings of certain European partners that do not have tactical electronic warfare capabilities.

Technical challenges and industrial prospects

Several steps are still required before the luWES program can achieve full operational capability. The demonstrated platforms will need to be industrialized, the pods and software will need to be qualified according to NATO standards, and their interoperability with other air assets (Typhoon, Eurodrone, NH90) will need to be ensured.

R&D efforts will also need to focus on resistance to enemy jamming, cybersecurity of cloud architectures, and durability of onboard systems. Future tests should incorporate more complex scenarios, with active enemy jamming, high radar density, and reduced response times.

According to forecasts, the first operational systems should be delivered between 2027 and 2030, with an initial core capable of limited electromagnetic intervention. Until then, the Bundeswehr will continue to rely on partnerships with industry to develop the design of the systems and accelerate their certification.

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