bobdina
06-24-2009, 09:54 PM
Rheinmetall C-RAM Scores Bundeswehr Order
By THOMAS NEWDICK
BERLIN - Rheinmetall has won a long-awaited German military contract for its C-RAM force protection system, which will be deployed to protect German troops in Afghanistan, the Düsseldorf-based company announced.
C-RAM is designed to provide defenses against rocket, artillery and mortar attacks. The system's introduction will mark a new approach to countering asymmetric warfare. Worth more than 120 million euros ($163 million), the order from the Bundeswehr, Germany's military, covers two complete systems plus an option for additional training and documentation later. The two C-RAM systems together are valued at 110.8 million euros, while a separate follow-on order for associated programmable AHEAD ammunition is worth 13.4 million euros. Should the option for supplementary services be exercised, this would add another 20 million to the total value, Rheinmetall said.
The Bundeswehr is procuring the C-RAM system under its Nächstbereichs-Schutzsystem (NBS), or very short-range protection system requirement, part of the wider SysFla air defense initiative. The aim of NBS is to provide improved protection for forward-deployed troops, such as those based in northern Afghanistan.
The C-RAM will form the first tier of a wider overhaul of German land-based air defense capabilities. As part of a previous development contract, two guns and a sensor unit have been delivered to the Bundeswehr, and Rheinmetall foresees the eventual deployment of C-RAM at three Afghan bases: Mazar-e-Sharif, Kunduz and Feyzabad. Of the two new systems, one will be held back for development work while the other could be deployed to Afghanistan in 2010.
Drawing on technology employed in Rheinmetall's Skyshield system, C-RAM is tailored to counter smaller projectiles such as those used by insurgents in Afghanistan. Each system includes a fire-control center, two sensor units and a pair of 35mm automatic cannons. C-RAM is capable of detecting, tracking and engaging incoming projectiles, as well as providing the attacker's coordinates so the threat can be countered via the C-RAM's direct-fire mode or other methods.
In trials in Turkey, the C-RAM engaged 82mm and 120mm mortar projectiles and 107mm rockets.
Looking beyond the German order, Rheinmetall said Australia, France, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain and the United Kingdom also have expressed interest. Rheinmetall has teamed with BAE Systems to target the U.K. market and is pushing its Skyshield sense-and-warn system for the British military.
C-RAM was developed by Rheinmetall's Air Defence segment, which was created from the former Oerlikon Contraves. Oerlikon Contraves was fully integrated into the Rheinmetall group earlier this year, with the main operating site in Zurich. Rheinmetall Air Defence also maintains locations in Canada, Germany and Italy. http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4099830&c=LAN&s=TOP
By THOMAS NEWDICK
BERLIN - Rheinmetall has won a long-awaited German military contract for its C-RAM force protection system, which will be deployed to protect German troops in Afghanistan, the Düsseldorf-based company announced.
C-RAM is designed to provide defenses against rocket, artillery and mortar attacks. The system's introduction will mark a new approach to countering asymmetric warfare. Worth more than 120 million euros ($163 million), the order from the Bundeswehr, Germany's military, covers two complete systems plus an option for additional training and documentation later. The two C-RAM systems together are valued at 110.8 million euros, while a separate follow-on order for associated programmable AHEAD ammunition is worth 13.4 million euros. Should the option for supplementary services be exercised, this would add another 20 million to the total value, Rheinmetall said.
The Bundeswehr is procuring the C-RAM system under its Nächstbereichs-Schutzsystem (NBS), or very short-range protection system requirement, part of the wider SysFla air defense initiative. The aim of NBS is to provide improved protection for forward-deployed troops, such as those based in northern Afghanistan.
The C-RAM will form the first tier of a wider overhaul of German land-based air defense capabilities. As part of a previous development contract, two guns and a sensor unit have been delivered to the Bundeswehr, and Rheinmetall foresees the eventual deployment of C-RAM at three Afghan bases: Mazar-e-Sharif, Kunduz and Feyzabad. Of the two new systems, one will be held back for development work while the other could be deployed to Afghanistan in 2010.
Drawing on technology employed in Rheinmetall's Skyshield system, C-RAM is tailored to counter smaller projectiles such as those used by insurgents in Afghanistan. Each system includes a fire-control center, two sensor units and a pair of 35mm automatic cannons. C-RAM is capable of detecting, tracking and engaging incoming projectiles, as well as providing the attacker's coordinates so the threat can be countered via the C-RAM's direct-fire mode or other methods.
In trials in Turkey, the C-RAM engaged 82mm and 120mm mortar projectiles and 107mm rockets.
Looking beyond the German order, Rheinmetall said Australia, France, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain and the United Kingdom also have expressed interest. Rheinmetall has teamed with BAE Systems to target the U.K. market and is pushing its Skyshield sense-and-warn system for the British military.
C-RAM was developed by Rheinmetall's Air Defence segment, which was created from the former Oerlikon Contraves. Oerlikon Contraves was fully integrated into the Rheinmetall group earlier this year, with the main operating site in Zurich. Rheinmetall Air Defence also maintains locations in Canada, Germany and Italy. http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4099830&c=LAN&s=TOP