Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) today announced the official handover of a digital radio communications system to the German Navy’s frigate Hessen. The deployment of its Real-time Shipboard Platform for Operational Naval Damage Control (RESPOND) on board the vessel marks a significant milestone in the ongoing digitalization of the German Navy and provides the crew with a technological backbone for modern hazard mitigation. 

"Fires, flooding and casualties at sea, during transit, deployment or in combat require immediate, coordinated action," said Commander Philipp Blau, Commanding Officer of the Hessen. "A targeted, rapid flow of information is therefore the foundational element for targeted and effective damage control aboard the ship." 

"A digital communication system providing real-time situational awareness across all stations is critical to successful damage control and contributes significantly to operational readiness. The crew and I deeply appreciate this efficient and reliable communication," said Blau.

The new solution pairs Motorola Solutions’ radios with a highly resilient, deployable digital radio systemconnected to the central damage control board. This ecosystem facilitates secure, high-performance voice, visual and real-time data communication between the ship’s security teams, damage control forces and crews on vessels within 15 kilometers. 

“If a fire breaks out in the engine room, environmental sensors instantly detect the smoke and trigger a shipwide alarm to warn the crew. The crew then logs the hazard in our RESPOND solution, which synchronizes all situational data in real time and makes it available shipwide, helping the staff to take necessary action immediately to protect the crew and vessel,” explains Helmut Gaschler, country manager Germany and sales director Central Europe at Motorola Solutions. “By transforming manual processes into digital, our solution cuts vital seconds from damage control timelines, helping to provide operational readiness and safety in the harshest defense environments.”

The frigate Hessen is just one of the major combat vessels equipped with the new technology as part of the contract with the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). This rollout replaces legacy systems, helping the German Navy remain at the forefront of modern, digital naval capabilities.