Naval Countermeasures:Armada
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Naval Countermeasures
At Euronaval 2014 Rheinmetall unveiled a new version of its trainable market-leading Multi-Ammunition Soft-kill System (Mass) launcher with an anti-torpedo capability based on up to four DCNS Canto decoys launchers. (Armada/Luca Peruzzi)
Building on the success of the widely sold Dagaie and Dagaie Mk 2 decoy system developed in conjunction with countermeasures specialist Lacroix, Sagem (part of Safran group) has developed the New-Generation Dagaie System. Based on a modular architecture, this is a twin-axis launcher, trainable in elevation and azimuth, which has been acquired so far by the French Navy for new Horizon type destroyers and Fremm multirole frigates (also delivered to Morocco). Delivered in a 12-barrel configuration and firing Lacroix’s families of new generation Sealem and Sealir decoy rockets, they deploy RF and IR payloads. An active off-board decoy round called Sealad and an acoustic anti-torpedo called Sealat have also been developed. The fact that a lowRCS launcher variant of this new-gen Dagaie with eight launch tubes is deployed on board Republic of Singapore Navy’s Formidableclass frigates is an open secret. The French company is also marketing the Dagaie NG version which includes 62/80 mm Sealem and Sealir decoys developed by Lacroix. Elbit is marketing the Deseaver Mk II which, in addition to Israeli Navy’s platforms, equips the Indian Navy’s new-generation frontline ships, including Kolkata-class destroyers and stealth Kamorta-class antisubmarine warfare corvettes. The traversable, 72-barrel, trainable stabilised launcher with reduced radar cross-section allows for very fast and accurate decoy deployment, even during violent evasive manoeuvres. In its latest version, the Deseaver system features new computers, enhanced displays and improved software-based functionalities,
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launching up to 10 different decoy rocket types to provide multi-layered defence in all soft-kill modes (confusion, distraction, dump and centroid seduction). The development and production of decoy munitions for the Israeli Navy is very much in the hands of Rafael, which supplies a complete range of products including the Long-Range Chaff Rocket (LRCR), the Medium-Range Chaff Rocket (MRCR), the BT-4 short range chaff rocket, the Heatrap IR decoy and the Wideband Zapping Anti-Radar Decoy (Wizard). These programmable decoy rounds are also employed by Rafael’s Integrated Decoy System (IDS) which features three lines of defence with real-time optimised decoy deployment, a fixed or trainable launching system, and a computerised decoy controller. A modular design, the IDS easily adapts to a wide range of platforms sizes. The trainable launcher, which includes four side-mounted LRCR tubes and 24-to-60 115 mm tubes for medium and short-range decoys, according to Rafael, provides an effective ship defence that capitalises on precise decoy location and optimised defence. Italy’s Finmeccanica group is marketing the Oto Melara Odls decoy Launcher, also known as the Sclar-H. In the latter configuration, which is deployed on board Italian Navy’s latest frontline ships, including Cavour aircraft carrier, Horizon type destroyers, Fremms and the recently delivered Algerian Navy’s flat deck amphibious and logistic support ship, Oto Melara is responsible for the launcher and Selex ES for the decoy launch control. Designed for accurate deployment of 105-118 mm calibre decoy rockets against radar and IR
homing missiles, it can also be used for shore bombardment. Featuring a local control unit that performs the interface with ships’ EWS, the Odls comes with up to two trainable launcher units, each equipped with 15 rockets and four mortar stations. Based on the Italian Navy’s advanced EW requirements for the new frontline ship to be soon contracted, Oto Melara conducted a feasibility study and is proposing a new version, characterised by a revised-design but same layout and footprint Odls trainable launcher with 20 mortar stations able to launch not only the full range of 130 mm IR and RF decoys available on the market and under development, but also the rocket-propelled large-payload deployment vehicle compatible with 130 mm launchers. Hence a wide range of payloads can be employed, including ASW, obscuration or other bespoke payloads. The new Odls is also designed to launch nonlethal countermeasures and to be retrofitted to the navy’s frontline ships without ship structure modifications. Decoy launching systems with barrels fixed at pre-set angles and elevations have proliferated in recent years. The most notable
The trainable 32-barrel Rheinmetall Mass launcher uses the company’s 81mm-calibre spin-stabilised Omni-Trap multispectral decoy, covering radar, IR, laser, electro-optical and ultraviolet (and optionally millimetric) wavebands. (Armada/Luca Peruzzi)