Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) 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 either be integrated with the command and control system of a warship, or can operate autonomously.
Rheinmetall Defence stated that "MASS has attracted orders from 9 nations, for 130 launchers, on 15 different classes of naval vessels" as of 31 March 2009. As of 3 March 2011, this has been expanded to a total order of at least 172 units.[1] Roughly one year later, on 17 April 2012, the total was 186 launchers for 22 different classes of vessels in 11 different nations.
Customers
edit
Germany: Brandenburg-class frigates, Braunschweig-class corvettes, Frankenthal-class minehunters, Kulmbach-class mine hunters, Baden-Württemberg-class frigates and the future F126 frigates
Canada: Halifax-class frigates
Pakistan: Tariq-class destroyers
Finland: Hamina-class missile boats, Hämeenmaa-class minelayers, Rauma-class missile boats, Pohjanmaa-class corvettes
New Zealand: Anzac-class frigates, as part of the ANZAC modernization programme.[2]
Norway: Skjold-class corvettes
Oman: Khareef-class corvettes
Sweden: Göteborg-class corvettes, Stockholm-class corvettes, and Visby-class corvettes
United Arab Emirates: Baynunah-class corvettes, Abu Dhabi-class corvettes, Falaj 2-class patrol vessels
Peru: Lupo-class frigate[3]
South Korea: LST-II-class landing ships[4]- Two additional unknown customers.
Australia: Hobart-class destroyers and Anzac-class frigates
Future operators
edit
Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Navy's New Multi-Purpose Corvettes are going to Utilize the MASS system.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Full-speed ahead for MASS". www.rheinmetall-detec.de. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
- ^ "New capabilities and a new MASS ship protection system customer".
- ^ "Adquisicion de lanzadores de senuelos MASS". Defensa.com (ADN - agencias ed.). Archived from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "Rheinmetall receives order from South Korea". www.rheinmetall-detec.de. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ "С колко ще поскъпнат новите кораби? МО започва да ги въоръжава". Mediapool.bg (in Bulgarian). 18 April 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
Further reading
edit- Rheinmetall Defence - Mass Multi Ammunition Softkill System
- Rheinmetall Defence (March 31/09) - Rheinmetall to equip Canadian Navy frigates with Mass
- Rheinmetall Defence (April 21/08) - Mass decoy system safeguards ships from symmetric and asymmetric threats
- Behoerden Spiegel - MASS fuer die VAE