MASS (Multi Ammunition Softkill System) is a naval self-defence system produced by Rheinmetall of Germany. It is connected to the ship’s sensors and protects ships from attacks by advanced, sensor-guided missiles by launching decoys that operate in all relevant wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum: ultraviolet, electro-optical, laser, infrared, and radar. MASS can be either plugged into the command and control module of a naval vessel, or operate autonomously. Rheinmetall has developed MASS Stand Alone with Sensor Suite, a standalone system with a built-in sensor suite designed especially for smaller seagoing units. The number of launchers is variable – typically one or two, though this number can be increased. The system comes with a sensor suite with radar and laser warner, a control unit and energy supply.
Ordinarily, MASS consists of between one and six trainable launchers that can fire 32 special effect charges. Each launcher comes with a control unit and a data interface (Ethernet/RS422 or other standard interface). The automatic decoy system MASS provides a unique level of protection against modern sensor-guided missiles. MASS can be installed on ships of all types and can be integrated into existing command systems. The new MASS_ISS features built-in sensors for detecting radar and laser threats. Programmable and omni-spectral, the system’s innovative ammunition provides protection in all relevant wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Rheinmetall Defence continues to expand the functionality of its widely sold Multi-Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) ship protection system with new payloads and sensor integration options.Since its market launch in 2002, Rheinmetall Defence has stated that “MASS has attracted orders from eleven nations have contracted a total of 186 MASS launcher systems for no fewer than 22 different classes of naval vessels. MASS offers a whole host of tactical, operational and logistical advantages, and is specifically designed to meet the changing requirements of modern navies, with abundant scope for future technological growth.
Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS)
