Anti-tank guided missile MELLS in infantry fighting vehicle Marder

Rheinmetall has integrated the modern anti-tank guided missile MELLS into the infantry fighting vehicle Marder 1A5. Following the successful completion of the investigation order, the Bundeswehr subsequently ordered 44 MELLS upgrade kits, which were delivered to the troops in December 2017. Currently, a total of 35 vehicles are being equipped with it.

The now modernized Marder 1A5 is thus capable of using the Multi-role Light Guided Missile System (MELLS). This adaptation contributes to the combat effectiveness of the armored infantry on today's battlefields.

A corresponding investigation order for the integration of MELLS was already issued in late 2016 by the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (www.BAAINBw.de) to Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH. The aim of integrating MELLS into the proven infantry fighting vehicle is to replace the current guided missile MILAN, as it will reach the end of its service life in the foreseeable future. With MELLS, the infantry fighting vehicle Marder receives a modern anti-tank weapon.

As part of a development contract, Rheinmetall examined with two prototype vehicles, among other things, how to take into account vibrations caused by vehicle movements and the resulting oscillation behavior when integrating MELLS. These results formed the basis for an adapted stowage concept that allows the weapon system and guided missiles to be carried in the infantry fighting vehicle. The project was carried out in the first half of 2017. The peak was the successful firing of the vibration-loaded guided missiles from the infantry fighting vehicle.

Rheinmetall has proven expertise with the infantry fighting vehicle Marder. The weapon system rolled off the production lines at the predecessor organizations of today's Rheinmetall Landsysteme in Kassel. The extremely reliable and field-proven Marder will remain an important workhorse for the German armored infantry for several more years. Currently, investigations are underway to integrate MELLS into the Marder infantry fighting vehicles of construction stages 1A3 and 1A5A1.

Rheinmetall on the Internet: www.rheinmetall-defence.com