Hensoldt to protect Ukraine's helicopters against missile threat
Hensoldt's AMPS has been installed on a wide range of helicopter types and will now help protect Ukrainian helicopters against missile threats. (Image: Hensoldt)
Germany's Hensoldt has been contracted to fit helicopters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with detection and self-protection sensor technology.
The order comprises 16 AMPS Airborne Missile Protection System packages with a value in the double-digit million Euro range. Czech system integrator LOM Praha will carry out the installation work.
'With the delivery of AMPS, we are ensuring an increase in the defence capability of the Ukrainian helicopters," said Tanya Altmann, division manager Optronics & Land Solutions and MD of Hensoldt Optronics.
Related Articles
Czech Air Force helicopters gain extra protection against missile threats
Hensoldt sends more air defence radars to Ukraine
Paris Air Show: Ukraine to benefit from billion-dollar AMRAAM deal
'By integrating onto this platform for the first time, we are protecting crews from a wide range of threats, especially surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles.'
AMPS is a self-contained self-protection system for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft with a modular design allowing it to be configured to meet specific operational requirements.
Main subsystems are a Missile Launch Detection Sensor (MILDS), Advanced Control and Display Unit (ACDU) and Active Acknowledgement System (MACS), which determines range and speed of detected missiles and reduces false alarms.
Existing countermeasure dispensing systems on the helicopters can continue to operate with the AMPS configuration.
While Hensoldt's announcement did not specify the aircraft type, Shephard Defence Insight reports that AMPS has previously been installed on the Mil Mi-8 and Mi-17, which Ukraine operates in quantity.
Given Altmann's reference to integration onto a new platform, this suggests that the most likely aircraft to be equipped will be from Ukraine's Mil Mi-24 fleet. The Czech Republic has donated a number of Mi-24s to Ukraine since the conflict began, which makes LOM Praha's involvement a logical fit,
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Digital Battlespace
-
EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI
The Portuguese company’s naval communications system is in service across more than a dozen countries. It has turned to its home nation for support in developing a new vehicle based C2 system.
-
Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker
The Vision4ce Deep Embedded Feature Tracking (DEFT) technology software is designed to process video and images by blending traditional computer vision with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to present actionable information from complex environments.
-
Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
-
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
-
Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.
-
US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts
Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellites are intended to provide early warning of missile launches from any location worldwide and new ground stations will result in expanded coverage of critical missile warning.