Rheinmetall integrates MELLS into Marder IFV
Rheinmetall has integrated the MELLS anti-tank missile system into the German Army’s Marder 1A5 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), the company announced on 20 March.
Rheinmetall received a contract in 2016 from the BAAINBw to study ways of integrating MELLS into the Bundeswehr’s IFV, which is approaching the end of its service.
Rheinmetall studied the extent to which oscillation due to movement of the vehicle and the resulting vibration behaviour would have to be considered when integrating the missile system. The results formed the basis for a modified storage concept, enabling transport of the launcher and missiles in the IFV.
The project was conducted during the first half of 2017 and concluded with vibration-stressed missiles being successfully fired from the IFV.
Following successful conclusion of the study phase, the Bundeswehr ordered 44 MELLS retrofit kits, which were delivered in December 2017. To date, a total of 35 vehicles have been equipped with the new missile system integration kit.
Rheinmetall is currently looking at ways of integrating the MELLS into the 1A3 and 1A5A1 versions of the Marder as well.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
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.
-
![Lockheed Martin to look further afield for GMARS rocket system opportunities]()
Lockheed Martin to look further afield for GMARS rocket system opportunities
The HX truck is already in use in many NATO and allied countries around the world as a logistics vehicle and carrier for high-value systems, including missile firing weapons, so its use for the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System makes logistical sense.
-
![Medium knocked out of British Army LMP, with CAVS as heavyweight champion]()
Medium knocked out of British Army LMP, with CAVS as heavyweight champion
As the British Army seeks to modernise and consolidate its diverse vehicle fleet, yet another change in direction is underway.
