Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) plans to integrate its advanced radar self protection system – NAVGUARD with Rheinmetall's Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) for naval vessels. The system has performed successfully beyond expectations in a live fire demonstration test scenario when confronted with incoming missiles launched from both sea and land.
The ELM-2222S NAVGUARD Self Protection System, developed by ELTA Systems, a group and subsidiary of IAI, is a lightweight, modular, self-protection system designed to cope with new maritime and land-based threats in order to increase ship survivability. The NAVGUARD features a digital phased-array radar based Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS), which automatically detects, classifies and verifies incoming threats, and consequently triggers the ships self defense systems. The defense systems utilize various techniques such as smoke dispensers or chaff and flares to defeat incoming missiles and avert a direct strike. The NAVGUARD provides small and medium combat ships with an affordable and low-detection protection system, allowing safe passage and patrol in areas which were previously denied due to conventional or asymmetric-warfare missile threats.
"NAVGUARD is an advanced digital phased-array radar system built as a solution for missile approach warning, and especially designed to confront the ever-increasing asymmetric warfare challenges", said IAI's VP and ELTA's President, Mr. Nissim Hadas "we are proud to collaborate with Rheinmetall, who are world leaders in naval softkill protection systems, and together tailor an affordable and effective protection system for maritime vessels."