Nächstbereichschutzsystem MANTIS
MANTIS Air defence system | |
---|---|
![]() A turret of the German Air Force | |
Service history | |
Used by | Germany |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Rheinmetall Air Defence |
Produced | 2011 to present |
Specifications | |
Mass | 5800 kg with ammunition |
Crew | 4 |
Shell | 35×228mm |
Caliber | 35 x 228 mm |
Elevation | -15 ° a + 85 ° |
Traverse | Full 360° |
Rate of fire | 1000 rounds/min |
MANTIS Air Defence System [1](modular, automatic and network capable targeting and interception system), formerly titled as NBS-C-RAM (Nächstbereichschutzsystem Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar), is a very short-range protection system of the German Air Force, intended for base-protection. It is produced by Rheinmetall Air Defence, a subsidiary of Rheinmetall of Germany. It is a part of the air force's future SysFla air-defence project.
System[]
The NBS C-RAM system is supposed to detect, track and shoot down incoming projectiles before they can reach their target within very close range. The system itself is based on Oerlikon Contraves' Skyshield air defence gun system.
An NBS C-RAM system consists of six 35mm automatic guns (capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute), a ground control unit and two sensor units. The entire system is fully automated. The guns fire programmable ammunition, developed by Rheinmetall Weapons and Munitions - Switzerland (formerly Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec). The ammunition carries a payload of 152 tungsten projectiles weighing 3.3g (51gr) each.
Originally, the German Army ordered a first batch of two systems in 2009, with two more following in 2013. All MANTIS systems have been transferred to the German Air Force, which is now responsible for all air defence tasks. The first two systems cost around €110.8 million, plus another €20 million for training and documentation purposes. In a follow-on contract, worth around €13.4 million, Rheinmetall will also deliver the corresponding ammunition to the German Army.[2]
The German Bundeswehr took over the first MANTIS system on January 1, 2011.[3]
See also[]
- Rheinmetall Oerlikon Millennium Gun – Naval CIWS by Rheinmetall using same gun
- LFK NG - the new air-defence missile of the German Army within the "SysFla" project
- Phalanx CIWS - In 2004 the United States began to develop a land-based stand alone model of its Phalanx Weapon System called the Centurion CRAM which was deployed to the Middle East in 2008
- CIWS
References[]
- ^ "NBS MANTIS Air Defence Protection System - Army Technology". Army Technology. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
- ^ [1] Archived May 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [2][dead link]
- 35 mm artillery
- Missile defense
- Post–Cold War weapons of Germany
- Rheinmetall
- Anti-aircraft guns of Germany
- Anti-aircraft weapons
- Anti-aircraft guns
- Military equipment introduced in the 2010s