Timber Express 2026
German Air Force air-defence exercise testing passive radar and counter-drone command systems.
Timber Express 2026 is a German Air Force air-defence exercise. On 19 August, it tested a passive radar linked to a counter-drone command system and Skynex battery under NATO networking conditions.
Last refreshed: 1 October 2026
What did a passive radar prove at Germany's Timber Express exercise?
Timeline for Timber Express 2026
Mentioned in: German federal police buy anti-drone kit
Drones: Industry & DefenceMentioned in: Passive radar aims a Skynex battery
Drones: Industry & DefenceBackground
Timber Express 2026 is a German Air Force air-defence exercise for testing passive-radar and counter-drone command systems. Its documented role included linking HENSOLDT's Twinvis passive radar, Rheinmetall's Skymaster command system and a Skynex battery, while sharing sensor data through NATO Link 16.
The exercise matters as a test case for interoperability between specialised European defence suppliers. Its reported configuration joined sensing, command and air-defence elements under realistic NATO network conditions, making it useful context for judging whether separate systems can form a common air picture.