MELLS Guided Missile System: Pilot Lot Firing Successfully Completed

source defense-technologynews.blogspot.com

Oct. 10, 2011 defense- aerospace.com

(Source: German defence technology office, BWB; issued October 4, 2011)

With a successful firing campaign at the Bundeswehr Technical Centre for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen, the MELLS project achieves a crucial milestone towards series production.

Within the scope of a pilot lot firing on 7 and 8 September 2011, four guided missiles of the “light multirole guided missile system” (MELLS) were fired in total. The firing took place in Meppen under the direction of the Bundeswehr Technical Centre for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91).

First of all, the four fired missiles were pre-stressed by simulated environmental impacts. The individual firings varied in terms of target range, selection of trajectory and homing mode. In combination with four other firings already conducted at the end of May, we now have available the results of eight individual firings. Thus, different aspects regarding the capabilities and the quality of the overall system could be reviewed.

All firings delivered the required performance meaning that the targets were hit and the warhead initiated on the target. Thus, the MELLS pilot lot firing is completed successfully and a decisive step towards series production has been taken.

The firings in May and September 2011 constituted the repetition of a failed pilot lot firing in January 2011. The campaign had to be stopped after several unsuccessful attempts. This setback was followed by a phase of intensive troubleshooting by industry. The solution prepared in the process has now proved to be successful.

MELLS is a light multirole guided missile system for the engagement of ground targets at medium ranges. Among other things, the target array comprises protected targets, battle tanks, armoured weapon systems and hardened positions but also slow moving and hovering helicopters in low-level airspace.

The guided missile system is characterized by a direct image transmission from the seeker to the firer via an optical fibre. This allows for manual target adjustments, target changes or the engagement of targets behind cover even after the launch. Besides extending the operational spectrum, this capability contributes effectively to the reduction of collateral damages.

The Special Forces Command (KSK), the infantry and the naval protection forces as well as the armoured infantry are supposed to be equipped with MELLS. In addition, the guided missile system will be integrated into the PUMA armoured infantry fighting vehicle.