As part of Timber Express 2025, an NH 90 helicopter was digitally guided by the EUA OPTARION for the first time in a multinational formation. Photo: Rainer Fritsch

Networked Mission Control Takes Centre Stage at Timber Express 2025

Mohd Hanif Ismail - : Nov 6, 2025 - : 9:50 am

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European defence electronics specialist HENSOLDT has showcased a new leap forward in fully integrated, software-defined command and control (C2) capabilities during the multinational Timber Express 2025 air force exercise. With growing emphasis on multi-domain operations and secure data-driven communications, HENSOLDT’s OPTARION mission support system demonstrated live the ability to network sensors, platforms and command nodes into a resilient coalition architecture.

The annual Timber Express exercise, led by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), focuses on integrating advanced tactical data networks across allied air, land and maritime forces. The 2025 edition placed special emphasis on seamless sensor-to-shooter links — a core requirement for modern NATO operations, including in the increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region.

According to HENSOLDT’s official announcement, the company enabled a milestone achievement by digitally commanding an NH90 helicopter within a coalition network without parallel voice communications, providing uninterrupted situational awareness and streamlined mission execution. This is viewed as a precursor to future autonomous or semi-autonomous air operations where silent datalink communication can avoid electromagnetic detection.

HENSOLDT stated that its latest OPTARION configuration served as the technological bridge between multi-vendor data links and command systems — from combat operations centres down to the aircraft and back. Integration with EUA TakOp and SitaWare Headquarters further improved interoperability and tactical resilience under realistic mission pressure.

Significantly, the exercise included the testing of two HF antenna arrays, one positioned over 100 km from Manching, simulating dispersed operations where fixed visible infrastructure would be vulnerable. The capability aligns with current doctrine in Europe and the Asia-Pacific, where military forces are preparing for satellite-denied scenarios.

“Timber Express 2025 was much more than a technical exercise,” said Alex Irmscher, Ground Station Project Manager at HENSOLDT. “We have shown that networked mission control is a reality — integrated, adaptive and future-proof.”

Asia-Pacific Implications

Interoperability is now of high priority in the Indo-Pacific, where Australia, Japan and South Korea are accelerating joint data-centric warfare capabilities in response to China’s growing military assertiveness. HENSOLDT’s global presence — including partnerships on sensor and EW programmes in the region — positions the company well for future procurements linked to digital force integration and mission networking.