Danger recognized, danger averted: ADS by Rheinmetall

The Rheinmetall Active Defence System (ADS) for light to heavy vehicles combines performance and innovation. Through the optimal interaction of the individual high-tech components, ADS can counteract various attacks. Threats are detected, evaluated, and intercepted in close proximity to the vehicle before they reach their target. ADS brings the strict technical principles of the automotive sector into the defense sector and especially into active protection systems (APS). As an innovator, ADS is the world's first APS developer to apply safety-critical design principles to APS development to deliver predictable and safe system performance.

ADS detects and neutralizes threats in less than a millisecond. The system's short reaction time is faster than the blink of an eye. This ensures protection from threats in the shortest possible way. In contrast to softkill systems that neutralize threats without destroying them, the hardkill protection system ADS can also destroy non-guided anti-tank weapons such as RPGs in addition to smart missiles. Unlike other systems, defense by ADS results in only minimal collateral damage. ADS consists of two independent sensors and various countermeasures. Sensors and countermeasures are distributed on the vehicle hull to achieve overlapping coverage.

ADS provides comprehensive protection through the overlapping arrangement of FoA (Field of Action Area) and FoV (Field of View Area):

Pre-warning sensors:
This first sensor ring consists of a multifrequency radar with a planar antenna. The radiation power is very low to avoid interference with other radars and to control only the strict, necessary detection and classification of threats in combination with trajectory calculation.

Electro-optical sensors:
The second and inner ring of sensors confirms the immediate impact time and location of a threat for the vehicle. Thanks to high resolution and accuracy, the best countermeasures can be selected and executed.

Countermeasures:
This ADS component is the device to render threats harmless by explosive heads before an impact on the vehicle becomes inevitable. Reducing possible collateral damage is the key factor. ADS automatically selects the appropriate countermeasures.

As a pioneer in the development of active short-range protection systems, Rheinmetall Active Protection GmbH produces and distributes the world's most innovative and powerful active defense system. Expertise in construction, electrical engineering, explosive technology, and software development forms the basis for the innovative power of the Rheinmetall Active Defense System (ADS). Rheinmetall Active Protection GmbH was founded in 2006 under the name ADS Gesellschaft für aktive Schutzsysteme mbH as a spin-off of IBD development activities in the field of active defense systems. Since February 1, 2011, Rheinmetall Weapon Ammunition GmbH, a direct subsidiary of Rheinmetall AG, holds 74% of the shares in the company. The remaining 26% of the shares are equally held by Stefanie and Susanne Deisenroth.

RHEINMETALL DEFENCE on the Internet: www.rheinmetall-defence.com