Australian Navy Adds Rheinmetall's Multi-Ammunition Soft Kill System to Jam Anti-Ship Missiles

The Royal Australian Navy has announced the integration of Rheinmetall Defence's "Multi-Ammunition Soft Kill System" (MASS) to its naval fleet, a technology that is designed to protect warships from kinetic and non-kinetic attacks.

The MASS system employs an electromagnetic "screen" or "shield" to thwart, confuse, jam, or disable guidance systems embedded in anti-ship missiles and laser-guided munitions that pose threats to vessels at sea. It will initially be used to equip 12 platforms, Rheinmetall said in its official release.

Rheinmetall's MASS system offers programmable and multispectral ammunition that provides protection across various electromagnetic wavelengths. The system features up to six trainable launchers, each capable of firing up to 32 "Omni Trap decoy munitions," which span the radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), laser, electro-optical, and ultraviolet portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The latest rocket-powered extended-range Omni-Trap ER Mk 2 version extends the range to 400 meters.

One of MASS's unique attributes is its ability to operate in all relevant wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, making it an ideal defensive system for ships of all sizes. It can function independently or integrate seamlessly into a ship's command and control system, enabling coordinated multi-national ship-to-ship targeting, data sharing, and operational cooperation.

By acquiring MASS, the Royal Australian Navy is bolstering its capacity to counter emerging threats in littoral waters and protecting countermine vessels closer to the shore.

Rheinmetall Defence Australia, the key supplier of MASS to the Australian Defence Force, has initiated a strategic partnership with specialized Australian suppliers in electronics, electrics, and artillery to produce components for the system.

The contract with Rheinmetall represents a €125 million order for ship protection technology. The first MASS systems are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2023, with an option to equip Australia's entire naval fleet.