What is MUSS 2.0? HENSOLDT’s Soft-Kill Active Protection System
A missile that cannot find its target cannot kill it. MUSS 2.0 (Multifunctional Self Protection System) exploits this principle to protect ground vehicles and helicopters without the weight, cost, and collateral damage risk of hard-kill interceptors. The system integrates laser warning, UV-band missile approach warning, and automatic countermeasures dispensing into a unified soft-kill active protection architecture.
Product Identity
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | HENSOLDT AG |
| Type | Soft-Kill Active Protection System |
| Platform compatibility | NH90 helicopter (certified), armored vehicles |
| Approach | Soft-kill (electronic/optical countermeasures) |
System Components
Laser Warning Receiver (LWR): Detects enemy laser designation and rangefinding systems. Alerts crew to laser lock-on within milliseconds.
UV-Band Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS): Detects the UV signature of a missile motor plume at launch, providing warning in time for countermeasure deployment.
Countermeasures Dispenser: Automatically deploys flares (IR decoys) or chaff (radar reflectors) to defeat guidance systems of incoming missiles.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| System type | Integrated soft-kill APS |
| Threat detection | Laser lock-on, UV missile approach |
| Response time | Millisecond-level |
| Certified platform | NH90 helicopter |
| Countermeasures | Automatic flare/chaff dispensing |
