German Air Force Inducts MANTIS Air Defense System

The German Air Force has taken delivery of the MANTIS air defence system from Rheinmetall today. “Thanks to MANTIS, the German Air Force now has at its disposal the world's leading air defence system for asset protection. It is a highly effective system, capable of countering a wide array of threats in future operational scenarios. Moreover, its open architecture design makes it a future-proof investment”, said Rheinmetall board member Bodo Garbe. MANTIS is “Modular, Automatic and Network-capable Targeting and Interception System”, it provides the Bundeswehr with a high performance, automated air defence system for asset protection that is second to none. Full integration into existing command and information systems has already been achieved, with plans in place to ensure that it meets future requirements as well. Thanks to its programmable 35mm Ahead ammunition, this cutting edge system is capable of bringing down even the smallest targets. It can be deployed to defend national territory and allied nations or in military operations other than war (MOOTW). In conflict and post-conflict situations, it can be used to protect Bundeswehr forward operating bases and other facilities from attacks of the kind directed against ISAF installations in Afghanistan, for instance. If an asset has to be protected at short notice, the radar and gun components can be transported to the area of operations on quickly deployable platforms. In addition to its current 35mm Revolver cannons, it will be possible in future to augment MANTIS with other effectors such as anti-aircraft missiles or high-energy lasers, integrating them directly into the system.