ASRAD-HELLAS
{{Infobox weapon
|name= ASRAD Hellas
|image= Ozelot2.jpg
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|origin= Germany
|type= Advanced short-range air defence system
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|primary_armament=Stinger
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ASRAD Hellas is an advanced short range air defense system developed by Rheinmetall. The Greek army has acquired 54 vehicle-mounted STINGER ASRAD Hellas (German design). The ASRAD Hellas is configured to enable reliable target detection, identification, and engagement during day or night under all possible conditions of visibility and weather. Due to its modularity and flexibility, the ASRAD Hellas fire unit embodies significant growth potential, permitting it to operate with passive and active surveillance sensors such as infrared search and track devices, and external surveillance 2D or 3D radars. The system is operated by a two-man team, composed of a weapons operator and a driver.{{Cite web |title=ASRAD-Hellas Anti-Aircraft systems - RedStar |url=https://www.redstar.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3289:asrad-hellas-anti-aircraft-systems&catid=546&lang=en&Itemid=552 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.redstar.gr}}{{Cite web |date=2020-09-12 |title= |script-title=el:Αντιαεροπορική άμυνα νήσων Αν. Αιγαίου και Δωδεκανήσων: Πόσο αποτελεσματική είναι; |trans-title=Air Defense of the Eastern Aegean and Dodecanese Islands: How Effective Is It? |url=https://www.defencenet.gr/amyna/902475_antiaeroporiki-amyna-nison-aigaioy-kai-dodekanison-poso-apotelesmatiki-einai/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Defencenet.gr |language=el |quote=Το σύστημα ASRAD-Hellas (Atlas Shοrt Range Air-Defence System) είναι μία έκδοση του γερμανικού αντιαεροπορικού συστήματος ASRAD της Rheinmetall DeΤec (πρώην SΤΝ Atlas Εlektrοnik GmbH) σχεδιασμένο και προσαρμοσμένο στις απαιτήσεις του ΕΣ. Το σύστημα ανήκει στην κατηγορία των V-SΗΟRΑD και έχει εμβέλεια 5 χιλιομέτρων. Το ASRAD-Hellas σχεδιάστηκε για να παρέχει προστασία σε ζωτικής σημασίας εγκαταστάσεις, όπως Κέντρα Διοίκησης, Ελέγχου και αεροδρόμια ή σε στρατεύματα τα οποία βρίσκονται σε κίνηση. Το κάθε σύστημα διαθέτει τετραπλό εκτοξευτή και φέρεται επί οχήματος Μ998 Ηummer το οποίο κατασκευάστηκε από την ΕΛΒΟ. Το σύστημα εξοπλίζεται από τέσσερα βλήματα FΙΜ-92 Stinger, ίδια με αυτά που διαθέτει ο ΕΣ για τους φορητούς εκτοξευτές του, τοποθετημένα σε δύο διπλούς εκτοξευτές οι οποίοι έχουν δυνατότητα περιστροφής 360 μοίρες και δυνατότητα ανύψωσης από -10 έως +70 μοίρες. Δυστυχώς το σύστημα είναι απόλυτα ανεπαρκές σε σχέση με την απειλή. Και η προμήθειά του υπαγορεύθηκε περισσότερο από οικονομικής φύσεως ενδιαφέροντα των εμπλεκομένων παρά με οποιαδήποτε επιχειρησιακή ανάγκη, αφού αφορά κυρίως την προστασία κινούμενων φαλαγγών. |trans-quote=The ASRAD-Hellas system (Atlas Short Range Air-Defence System) is a version of the German ASRAD air defense system developed by Rheinmetall DeTec (formerly STN Atlas Elektronik GmbH) and designed to meet the requirements of the Hellenic Army. The system belongs to the V-SHORAD category and has a range of 5 kilometers. ASRAD-Hellas was designed to provide protection for vital installations such as Command and Control Centers and airports, or for troops on the move. Each system features a quadruple launcher mounted on an M998 Hummer vehicle manufactured by ELVO. The system is equipped with four FIM-92 Stinger missiles, identical to those used by the Hellenic Army for its portable launchers. These missiles are mounted on two dual launchers capable of 360-degree rotation and elevation ranging from -10 to +70 degrees. Unfortunately, the system is considered entirely inadequate relative to the threat it is meant to address. Its procurement was driven more by financial interests of the parties involved than by any operational necessity, as it is primarily intended for the protection of moving convoys.}}{{Cite web |title=Army Technology - The Hellenic Army Sets the Standard with ASRAD Hellas |url=http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/fire/stn/press4.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20080706151409/http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/fire/stn/press4.html |archive-date=2008-07-06 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.army-technology.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=LeFlaSys (ASRAD) Short-Range Air Defence System |url=https://www.army-technology.com/projects/leflasys/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Army Technology |language=en-US |quote=The Hellenic Army of Greece placed an order for 54 ASRAD systems armed with Stinger missiles in October 2000. The first was delivered in October 2004. Deliveries completed in 2006. The systems are mounted on HMMWV vehicles, modified by ELBO/AMG of Greece.}}
Advantages
Advantages of the system include:
- Fast deployment (less than five minutes after unloading, e.g. from a helicopter)
- Fast reaction (no more than 10 seconds)
- Reliable multi-target capability
- High operational availability
- Automatic system operation mode (limitation of human errors)
- Ease of operation, training and maintenance
- Automatic system test (built-in test equipment/BITE)
- Stationary defense (fixed assets, area defense, remote control mode)
- Mobile defense (convoys, task forces, maneuvering elements)
- Cooperative logistics among user nations
- Large growth potential due to the modular system concept
Additional information
For integrated system operations during national and international missions, the ASRAD Hellas can be equipped with additional C3I interface software for network-enabled operations and links to upper echelon allied operation centers.
The system can be deployed in either stationary or mobile mode. Limitations of the STINGER missile with respect to pitch and roll acceleration on the move have had to be taken into account. During stationary operation the control and display unit (CDU) can be separated from the vehicle and connected to the system by a cable for remote operation. The maximum distance for remote control is 100 metres. Germany and Finland use similar systems.
References
{{Reflist}}
See also
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080706151409/http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/fire/stn/press4.html Rheinmetall ASRAD-HELLAS press release]
- [http://www.army-technology.com/projects/leflasys/ LeFlaSys (ASRAD) Light Mechanised Short-Range Air Defense System]
{{Greece topics}}
{{Rheinmetall|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Asrad-Hellas}}
Category:Guided missiles of Greece
Category:21st-century surface-to-air missiles