KNDS Deutschland, Elbit Systems, and Kongsberg have successfully live-fired the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) from the EuroPULS / MARS 3 rocket artillery platform. This is shown in a video provided to hartpunkt by the companies.
By Waldemar Geiger / Hartpunkt.
The test reportedly took place in Norway several weeks ago. The integration of the NSM, an advanced missile capable of engaging both maritime and land targets, into the MARS 3 significantly broadens the platform’s operational versatility. With this addition, the system now supports coastal defense missions, enhancing its role in multi-domain operations.
The successful demonstration also shows the ability of MARS 3 and the companies involved to integrate new weapons into the system. In addition to the NSM, there are many other candidates, for example Diehl Defence is currently developing a practice missile and MBDA Germany is developing the RCM² multi-domain effector, which is designed for firing at ships, aircraft and rocket artillery systems.
Rocket artillery system EuroPULS / MARS 3
The MARS 3, or EuroPULS, is a variant of the PULS rocket artillery system from the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems, adapted for the European market by KNDS Germany. PULS stands for Multi-Purpose Universal Launching System and was designed by the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems to fire surface-to-surface rockets of various power classes from a single launcher. Together with KNDS Germany, Elbit further developed the system and presented the so-called EuroPULS at the end of 2022 as a potential successor to the MARS system introduced in the German Armed Forces.
It can fire a wide range of artillery rockets with a range of 12 to 300 km. Elbit states that the PULS’s “unique” design offers significant growth potential. For example, the system could be capable of firing loitering munitions, including the canister configuration of Elbit Systems’ SkyStriker Loitering Munition. Furthermore, the PULS launcher is fully adaptable to existing wheeled and tracked platforms, which, according to the manufacturer, leads to a significant reduction in maintenance and training costs.
The Elbit missile portfolio for the PULS begins with the 122 mm Accular rocket. This has a range of up to 35 km and a 20 kg warhead. For precise standoff engagement beyond 100 km, Elbit offers the commercially available Extra. According to Elbit, the Extra can hit targets up to 150 km away with an accuracy of 10 m. The warhead weighs 120 kg. In addition to a unitary fragmentation variant, a penetrator variant is also available. The Predator Hawk missile can hit even deeper. According to the manufacturer, the missile has a range of 300 km and an accuracy of 10 m. The warhead weighs 140 kg.
Naval Strike Missile
The Naval Strike Missile is an anti-ship missile first entered service in the early 2010s. According to the manufacturer, it can be fired from ships, helicopters, and aircraft. A low radar signature is intended to impede detection and thus increase the survivability of the approximately 0.9 Mach missile. Target engagement occurs via the detonation of the approximately 125 kg warhead with armor-piercing fragmentation. In addition to sea targets, the NSM, which weighs 407 kg including the booster, also allows the engagement of coastal land targets. The maximum range is said to be 185 km.
This article by Waldemar Geiger was originally published in German language at Hartpunkt.de. It has been translated and republished with authorization.
