MASS Protection System to Be Mounted on German Minehunters

Released on Thursday, March 20, 2008

The German Navy has contracted with Rheinmetall Defence to supply MASS naval protection systems for two of its minehunter vessels. MASS stands for "Multi Ammunition Softkill System". Under an immediate operational requirement order, one MJ 333-class vessel and one HL 352-class vessel are to be equipped with a MASS two-launcher configuration system with integrated detection unit by May 2008. The total order is worth some €10 million.

Following successful sea trials, the German Ministry of Defence turned to Rheinmetall in 2007 to have four of its F123-class frigates immediately equipped with this technology prior to deploying to the Eastern Mediterranean. Thus far, three frigates of this class have been equipped with the four-launcher configuration of MASS, teamed with the electronic warfare system and the MSP 500 multi-sensor platform.