MUSS (countermeasure)
{{Short description|Soft kill active protection system}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
File:Puma IFV MUSS.jpg IFV.]]
Multifunctional Self protection System (MUSS, {{langx|de|Multifunktionales Selbstschutz-System}}) is a soft kill active protection system developed to protect military vehicles against guided anti-tank missiles.EADS.com press release [http://www.eads.com/eads/germany/de/news/press.d1b0771d-3be0-497c-b39c-0b5397ba6525.45f3b041-264c-488a-973b-645f729cbad6.html "EADS-Technologie schützt Panzerfahrzeuge Neues System für Selbstschutz vorgestellt"]{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (German)
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 {{ill|Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung|de}}.
The German Puma infantry fighting vehicle has been equipped with MUSS, after EADS was awarded a contract in 2006.Army-technology.com [http://www.army-technology.com/projects/puma_tracked/ "Puma"]{{Unreliable source?|reason=domain on WP:BLACKLIST|date=June 2016}} Hensoldt delivered the 300th MUSS active protection system to the German Army on 19 September 2019.{{cite web |title=HENSOLDT‘s self-protection equipment for ‘Puma’ on track |url=https://www.hensoldt.net/news/hensoldts-self-protection-equipment-for-puma-on-track/ |website=Hensoldt.net |access-date=15 April 2023}} A total of 342 MUSS systems were delivered by 2020.
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 main battle tank.{{cite web|last=Lappin |first=Yaakov |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/active-protection-for-our-armed-forces|title=Active Protection for our Armed Forces |publisher=DSTL |date=5 July 2016 |accessdate=4 August 2016}}
In November 2021, Hensoldt announced the development of an improved version known as "MUSS 2.0".{{cite web |title=HENSOLDT develops "MUSS 2.0“ |url=https://www.hensoldt.net/news/hensoldt-develops-muss-20/ |website=Hensoldt.net |access-date=15 April 2023}} The development of MUSS 2.0 was commissioned by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support and includes optimizations in regards to size and weight while improving the capabilities of the missile warners and laser detectors. MUSS 2.0 can also detect second-generation laser rangefinders, laser beam riding missiles such as Kornet and can act as hostile fire indicator. It is compliant to the NATO Generic Vehicle Architecture (NGVA).
Design
File:MUSS sensors on Puma IFV turret.JPG
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). 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.
Depending on application the weight of the system can vary between 65 and 160 kg.Defense-Update: [http://www.defense-update.com/products/m/muss.htm "Multifunction Self Protection System"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414023117/http://www.defense-update.com/products/m/muss.htm |date=2010-04-14 }}
References
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External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100414023117/http://www.defense-update.com/products/m/muss.htm Defense-Update.com "Multifunction Self Protection System"]
- [https://www.hensoldt.net/products/optronics/muss-multifunctional-self-protection-for-vehicles/ "Hensoldt"]
{{APS}}
Category:Weapons countermeasures
Category:Land active protection systems