MUSS (countermeasure)
MUltifunctional Self protection System (MUSS, German: Multifunktionales Selbstschutz-System) is a soft kill active protection system developed to protect military vehicles against guided anti-tank missiles.[1]
History[]
MUSS was developed by EADS, Buck (a Rheinmetall subsidiary) and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW). Before September 2003, it was tested on a Leopard 2 tank by the German .[1]
The new German Puma infantry fighting vehicle will be equipped with MUSS, after EADS was awarded a contract in 2006.[2][unreliable source?]
In July 2016, the UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory placed a £7.6 million contract with QinetiQ to evaluate the MUSS system for armoured vehicles, particularly the Challenger 2.[3]
Design[]
MUSS consists of three main elements: ultraviolet sensors, consisting of a laser warner and a missile warner which detects incoming projectile, the computer, and the electronic or pyrotechnic countermeasures (for example an infrared jamming device).[2] When the sensors detect an incoming missile or a laser beam aimed at the vehicle, the computer activates the countermeasures. MUSS offers 360° protection with elevation up to 70° and can handle up to four threats at once.[2]
The whole system has a weight of 65 to 160 kg.[4]
References[]
- ^ a b EADS.com press release "EADS-Technologie schützt Panzerfahrzeuge Neues System für Selbstschutz vorgestellt"[permanent dead link] (German)
- ^ a b c Army-technology.com "Puma"
- ^ Lappin, Yaakov (5 July 2016). "Active Protection for our Armed Forces". DSTL. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ Defense-Update: "Multifunction Self Protection System" Archived 2010-04-14 at the Wayback Machine
External links[]
- Weapons countermeasures
- Land active protection systems
- Armoured fighting vehicle equipment
- Military equipment introduced in the 2000s