Rheinmetall Defence Australia has initiated the local assembly of the Multi Ammunition Soft Kill (MASS) shipsets, which are expected for deployment on Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessels.
The MASS system, an advanced ‘off-board’ countermeasure, is designed to protect naval ships from missile and asymmetric threats through a soft kill approach.
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The assembly of these systems are expected to enhance the defensive capabilities of up to six naval platforms.
In 2023, the company signed a contract worth €125m (A$217.5m) for the supply of the MASS system to the RAN.
The capability will be installed on RAN’s Hobart-class destroyers and Anzac-class frigates.
The MASS system operates by launching decoys that mislead incoming missiles into targeting them instead of the actual naval vessel.
This autonomous operation takes into consideration various factors such as wind conditions, the ship’s navigational data, and the nature of the incoming threat.
Rheinmetall Defence Australia managing director Nathan Poyner, underscored the selection of MASS after comprehensive trials.
The assembly and testing of the MASS systems for the Royal Australian Navy are conducted at Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s military vehicle excellence centre.
The system can be installed on a range of vessel sizes and be integrated into existing command and weapon engagement systems or function independently.
The standard MASS configuration includes up to six launchers capable of discharging 32 Omni Trap decoy munitions each.
The contract for the MASS systems is projected to conclude in 2027. Rheinmetall Defence Australia is tasked with maintaining these countermeasure units beyond that period.
Poyner said: “This is the group’s single-biggest order ever for ship protection technology and could potentially grow to equip Australia’s entire fleet. Rheinmetall Defence Australia assembles the systems in Australia, before installing and commissioning them on-board the Navy’s seagoing surface combatants.”
“The Australian MASS contract has secured more than 30 new jobs at [Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence] MILVEHCOE for the shipsets.”
Currently, the MASS system is operational with 16 international navies.
In 2023, Rheinmetall Defence Australia partnered with Adelaide’s Supashock to create the mine rail deployment system.
