BAE Systems to continue work on active protection system for US Army
Terra Raven will form part of MCSKS. (Image: BAE Systems)
BAE Systems Multi-Class Soft Kill System (MCSKS) countermeasure system has been designed to provide protection without the need for kinetic effort and will reduce the logistic chain required for protection.
The US Army has awarded BAE Systems a follow-on contract to continue development of the company’s MCSKS countermeasures system which has been designed to protect vehicles against guided missiles and similar threats.
BAE Systems will further develop its laser-based Stormcrow and Terra Raven countermeasure systems as part of an effort to move forward the US Army’s electronic warfare (EW)-based active protection system (APS) efforts.
The laser-based defence allows for conservation of kinetic weapons and provides a less expensive option once fielded.
Terra Raven is part of a layered defence and response approach designed to be integrated into current and next-generation combat vehicles and provide laser-based countermeasures.
Coupled with BAE Systems’ 360 MVP Sensor situational awareness suite, the infrared countermeasures system detects, tracks and engages incoming threats to armoured ground vehicles.
BAE Systems has worked previously with the US Department of Defense on similar efforts such as the Advanced Layered Soft Kill System and the Layered Soft Kill System development programmes which resulted in demonstrations.
APS has become a key feature of a range of new vehicle and upgrade programmes in the light of asymmetric conflicts, such as in Syria last decade or recent operations in Gaza and conventional conflict such as Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
The US Army’s upgraded Bradley’s are being fitted with Elbit Systems’ Iron Fist APS and upgraded Turkish Leopard 2A main battle tanks will soon be delivered with Aselsan’s AKKOR (AKtif KORuma) APS.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions]()
Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions
Developed by Israel's Uvision and with systems being sold in the thousands to multiple European NATO countries and the US, the Hero family of loitering systems is also in production in the US and Italy, the latter through Rheinmetall.
-
![Croatia orders Leopards and CAESAR howitzers as Lithuania orders more CAESARs]()
Croatia orders Leopards and CAESAR howitzers as Lithuania orders more CAESARs
The Leopard is becoming the tank of choice in central and eastern Europe as Croatia joins Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Hungary in ordering the platform. Lithuania and Croatia have also signed for CAESAR howitzers.
-
![Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)]()
Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)
A new system-of-systems concept will unlock digital integration of sensors and weapons for Light Forces, allowing them to shape the battlefield environment on their own terms and upgrade legacy platforms.
