Rheinmetall at Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition

MASS / Photo: Rheinmetall AG

Rheinmetall Defence Australia will proudly display the proven Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition in Sydney from 7-9 November 2023 at the International Convention Centr.

Nathan Poyner, Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director said the business would showcase its naval capability including a range of sea mines; anti-ballistic armour plates and specialised models of the Millennium Gun for use with the semi-mobile and static Skynex system and the Skyranger unmanned 35mm gun.

The MASS systems ordered by the Royal Australian Navy in May will be assembled at Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s MILVEHCOE centre of excellence for military vehicles.

MASS offers potential partners in the Australian defence sector the opportunity to cooperate with Rheinmetall and the Royal Australian Navy in realising this important defensive capability. The contract, the first naval contract awarded to Rheinmetall Defence Australia represents a significant milestone as the company grows its local industrial footprint with further advanced assembly and training system capabilities in Australia. Our partnership with the Royal Australian Navy is a key element of our longterm investment in the region as we develop a robust, sustainable, and globally competitive industrial capability, Mr Poyner added.

Other Rheinmetall products on display include:

ROSY – Rapid Obscuring System for small vessel protection. By rapidly obscuring the line of sight, the ROSY countermeasure system protects vessels from littoral and riverine threats such as small arms fire; RPGs and missiles. Optimised for small vessels it is particularly suitable for patrol vessels; speed boats and attack craft. ROSY can counter multiple threats without reloading.

ASTERIA, designed and developed in cooperation with the Italian Navy, satisfies the latest operational requirements in the field of sea mines. The multi-sensor architecture (acoustic, seismic, magnetic, pressure, UEP/ELFE and optic) togetherwith a smart logic make ASTERIA extremely selective and effective against a wide range of targets and extremely resistant against the most modern countermeasure techniques, including Mine Jamming, guarantees the best target kill probability in any environmental scenario.

By means of a special bi-directional acoustic link, it is possible to remote control the mine in total safety, improving the flexibility of use to defend harbours, straits and ports. ASTERIA can be laid by surface vessels and submarines. The training variant of ASTERIA is complemented by a set of accessories specifically designed to facilitate the remote control and data gathering during sea trials.

MANTA is a multi-influence shallow water sea mine, designed to be effective against landing crafts and small-mid tonnage vessels. The mine can be laid by surface vessels, helicopters and aircraft. The unique shape, the low target strength and magnetic signature make MANTA very difficult to detect.

MURENA is a multi-influence sea mine designed to be effective against a wide range of targets. The mine can be laid by surface vessels, aircraft, submarine (torpedo tube or mine belts). The mine logic is based on a unique analysis of target acoustic, magnetic and pressure sensors and offers the operator an incredible flexibility.

Rheinmetall Defence Australia, a key strategic industrial partner to the Australian Defence Force, has teamed up with Adelaide-based technology company Supashock, to develop a world-first sea mine rail deployment system.

Nathan Poyner, Managing Director, Rheinmetall Defence Australia, said that the two businesses had a long association with military land vehicles and had again collaborated on a solution known as Mine Rail Deployment System (MRDS).

The MRDS was developed to allow for the storage and deployment of sea mines by international navies. In a world-first, the design means that the rack remains fixed to the ship and the deployment appliance basket is not discarded into the ocean as is the current model. The MRDS will be future-ready to integrate automation, further increasing ondeck operational efficiency, Mr Poyner said.

Oscar Fiorinotto, Managing Director of Supashock, said the MRDS would be designed, tested and manufactured at the organisation’s Holden Hill facility in suburban Adelaide.

Supashock is a global designer and manufacturer of advanced products for defence, heavy vehicles and automotive OEMs. “I’m delighted to be working with our partners at Rheinmetall Defence Australia to achieve this outstanding result that will improve the deployment of sea mines, worldwide. We are excited for future collaboration between all parties, including the Commonwealth, to further test this Australian technology, Mr Fiorinotto added.

The MRDS revolutionises payload deployment, reducing deck footprint, and increasing payload replenishment efficiency. The system is scalable and can be adapted to suit a range of different seacraft.

The MRDS also offers enhanced safety features such as jettison capability, improved ergonomics and a weather shelter that protects crew and disguises deck activity during transport or operations.

Rheinmetall Defence Australia, a key strategic industrial partner to the Australian Defence Force, this year signed a landmark contract for the supply of the Multi Ammunition Softkill System to the Royal Australian Navy (Australian Navy orders Rheinmetall’s MASS ship protection systems).

Nathan Poyner, Managing Director, Rheinmetall Defence Australia, said that The Royal Australian Navy had ordered the Multi Ammunition Softkill System, or MASS, which will initially be used to equip 12 platforms. Following extensive trials, MASS was selected on account of its unique capabilities.

For Rheinmetall, the order represents €125 million in sales. The first systems will be delivered by the end of 2023. This is Rheinmetall’s single-biggest order for ship protection technology and the contract includes an option for equipping Australia’s entire fleet, he said.

Mr Poyner said the MASS systems ordered by the Royal Australian Navy will be assembled at Rheinmetall’s Centre of Excellence at Redbank in South-East Queensland.

This will result in new possibilities for expanding the Group’s Australian supply chain. MASS offers potential partners in the Australian defence sector the chance to cooperate with Rheinmetall and the Royal Australian Navy in realising this important defensive capability, he added.

Rheinmetall Defence Australia is seeking Australian-based specialised suppliers with expertise in electronics; electrics and artillery for strategic partnerships to produce components for MASS.

Not only will this maritime order ensure the sovereign capability within Australia, MASS will also bolster employment in defence industry. “More than 30 new roles are expected at Rheinmetall as result of MASS, with flow on benefits for Australian jobs, through these partnerships, Mr. Poyner said.

MASS protects ships and boats from multifaceted threats from anti-ship guided missiles and laserguided weapons – on the high seas, in littoral waters and on rivers.

Offering unique protection against modern sensor-guided missiles in all relevant wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, MASS can be installed on vessels of all sizes and readily integrated into existing shipboard command and weapon engagement systems or operate as a standalone system.

In the standard version, MASS consists of up to six trainable launchers, each of which can fire up to 32 Omni Trap decoy munitions.

Rheinmetall continues to perfect its tried-and-tested MASS family, assuring that in future, ships and their crews will have the best possible protection when operating on the high seas and in coastal waters.

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