Advanced Air Defence Missile System On Show at Eurosatory 2008

Over the past two years the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) have fielded the ITO 05 air defence system, developed by Rheinmetall Defence under the product name ASRAD-R. The Advanced Short Range Air Defence system (ASRAD-R) is a modular, independent missile system capable of coping with any modern air threat.

It features 3D surveillance search and acquisition radar, including IFF and automatic functions ranging from target detection to missile tracking, a state-of-the-art electro-optical sensor package containing FLIR, a TV camera – both of which use the automatic tracker – and a laser rangefinder. ASRAD-R is armed with four ready-to-fire, line-of-sight laser guided missiles.

The Finnish version of the ASRAD-R is mounted on a 10’ container which is transported by a Mercedes Unimog 5000. The container was developed in close cooperation with several Finnish companies, as was its integration into the vehicle.

The two-man crew of the CMAD (Container-Mounted Air Defence) has access to BMC4I networks using voice and real-time data links via radio, military or civilian telephone or field cable.

ASRAD-R is effective against a wide variety of targets, ranging from highly manoeuvrable fixed-wing systems and armoured helicopters to low-profile cruise missiles and UCAVs, including at long ranges and extremely low altitudes. Moreover, the ASRAD-R can defend itself from ground threats such as armoured vehicles by using the shaped charge effect of the combined warhead of the BOLIDE missile.

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The BOLIDE missile fired by the ASRAD-R utilizes the unique, unjammable laser beam guidance system of the RBS 70, enabling an intercept range of 8 km.

In this configuration, ASRAD-R is well suited for protecting mobile units and vital assets. RBS 70 MANPAD systems are additionally assigned to each CMAD platoon for the Finnish ITO 05. Based on Tactical Military Internet technology, all surveillance, engagement and status information is exchanged between the fire units, including the MANPADs. This enables the ASRAD-R unit not only to engage incoming targets effectively, but also to minimize radar emissions by disseminating tracking information within the network.

The Multipurpose ASRAD Console is used for controlling the full array of weapon engagement, network, communication, planning and radar functions. The ITO 05 is a specific configuration of ASRAD-R, modified to meet the requirements of the Finnish Defence Forces.

The basic design of ASRAD-R provides great flexibility whenever customized solutions are required. The CMAD can be mounted on various types of vehicles, or operated in stand-alone mode for protecting stationary assets. ASRAD-R’s patented levelling system permits deployment under field conditions without prior preparation.

It is designed to be autonomously loaded on and off trucks, while the low profile of the vehicle and folded platform mean that ASRAD-R can be airlifted in most transport aircraft.

Especially for long-term operations – such as camp protection – ASRAD-R features remote control functions and a 24-hour operating capability. Automatic functions such as slew-to-cue to radar target designations, target tracking (even under difficult background conditions) and optimal communication path selection, etc., support the operators during their mission.

ASRAD-R offers multiple opportunities for deployment as an autarkic SHORAD system, and can serve as an integral part of any current or future air defence network.