Multi Ammunition Softkill System
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. Roughly one year later, on 17 April 2012, the total was 186 launchers for 22 different classes of vessels in 11 different nations.
Customers
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.
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
South Korea: LST-II-class landing ships- Two additional unknown customers.
Australia: Hobart-class destroyers and Anzac-class frigates
Future operators
Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Navy's New Multi-Purpose Corvettes are going to Utilize the MASS system.
References
Further reading
- 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