Denmark’s DALO awards Rheinmetall a contract for five MASS decoy launchers to retrofit Absalon-class and Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates, including 20-year support.
By Waldemar Geiger / hartpunkt
The two Absalon-class anti-submarine warfare frigates and the three Iver Huitfeldt-class air defense frigates are being retrofitted with Rheinmetall’s MASS self-protection systems. As revealed in a recently published notice by the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) on the European online procurement platform TED, Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH has been awarded a contract to supply five self-protection systems for the two frigate classes.
In addition to delivering the five protection systems—which well-informed sources indicate are Multi-Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) decoy launchers—Rheinmetall will also provide training services. Furthermore, a framework agreement covering the supply of ammunition as well as maintenance services over a period of up to 20 years was agreed upon.
MASS is an off-board decoy system for naval vessels designed to counter incoming missiles and asymmetric threats, featuring what the manufacturer describes as a tailored soft-kill and screening effect. According to the manufacturer, the system protects ships and boats against a wide range of threats, such as attacks with anti-ship missiles or laser-guided weapons, on the high seas as well as in littoral waters or on rivers. It provides multispectral deception using a single system. To achieve this, it covers all relevant wavelength bands, including radar, ultraviolet, electro-optical sensors, laser, and infrared, according to the manufacturer.
The countermeasures deployed by the system create a decoy target that the incoming missile interprets as a higher-value target, ultimately causing it to change its course. MASS launches these countermeasures autonomously, factoring in wind, the ship’s navigation data, and information regarding the type of threat.
Due to its modularity, Rheinmetall states that MASS can be installed on ship types of any size—from offshore patrol vessels to frigates. It can be integrated into existing command and weapon control systems with minimal effort or operated as a stand-alone system.
This article was originally published in German language at hartpunkt.de. It has been translated and republished with authorization.
