First ASRAD-HELLAS vehicles arrived at frontline units. [Archive]

gbos

06-20-2004, 05:12 AM

This is a short range air defense system developed by Rheinmetall. It has a FLIR and a camera for target acquisition and an (eye safe) LRF. It also has links to exchange data with radars and an IFF system. It will complement other units currently in use such us the TOR-M1 system. The Greek army doesn’t have the avenger system.

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/565_1087722557_asrad5.jpg

From the manufacturer homepage:

09/30/2002
Atlas short range air defence system sets standards in Europe
ASRAD is a light mechanized short range air defence system operated by the German Army. Greece decided in favor of the ASRAD Hellas in August 2000. In July 2002, the Finish Army concluded an agreement with STN Atlas for the procurement of ASRAD-R systems including Bolide missiles and MANPADS. Should a further nation likewise decide to purchase the ASRAD (atlas short range air defence system) from STN Atlas Elektronik GmbH, they would then be the fourth member to join the family of ASRAD users.

ASRAD's main asset is its modularity. It can be adapted to different vehicles and platforms and offers a proven adaptation capability for a broad range of missiles like e.g. Stinger, IGLA, RBS70 and Bolide. Further missiles from the VSHORAD segment are planned.

Panoramic search radars and passive IR sensors (IRST) are part of the ASRAD system for target reconnaissance and acquisition. Ericsson's HARD 3-D-radar has been used in the past. The latest 3-D-radar from the Rheinmetall DeTec subsidiary Oerlikon Contraves Italy (OCI) – the X-TAR 3-D – will be a further option in future.
Present project status
The system components of the ASRAD system correspond to the weapon platform Ozelot as well as the reconnaissance, command and fire control vehicle AFF, both of which are parts of the LeFlaSys light mechanized short range air defence system of the German Army. In addition to other components, both these subsystems are in series-production and are being delivered to the German Army air defence.

Besides Germany and Greece, Finland is now the third European nation to have opted in favor of the air defence know-how of STN Atlas. The Finish armed forces will receive four batteries of the ASRAD-R air defence system as a containerized version. Depending on the mission order, the containers can either be mounted on a Unimog or a tracked vehicle. The "R" refers to the use of RBS70 and Bolide, the laser-beam riding family of missiles from Saab Bofors Dynamics (SBD). The radars are delivered by Ericsson, a further co-operation partner for the ASRAD-R and LeFlaSys programs.

The Greek Army will receive the first of a total of 54 ASRAD Hellas weapon platforms shortly; these are envisaged for use with the Stinger missile. The contract which was won against stiff international competition in 2000 encompasses cooperation agreements with the Greek partner EBO as well as extensive offset agreements.
Technical description of the LeFlaSys
LeFlaSys (the official designation of the system for the German Bundeswehr) is an air defence system for VSHORAD missiles and is a light, mobile and air-transportable surface-to-air missile system. LeFlaSys consists of the system elements battery command post, platoon command post, weapon platform Ozelot, interface vehicle, the workshop equipment and related training peripherals. The system will be operated in three light mechanized air defence batteries and linked to the army air defence reconnaissance and command system. LeFlaSys/ ASRAD will be used mainly for short-range protection of combat forces, combat support troops and vital assets against airborne threats from fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

The ASRAD weapon system is the core element of LeFlaSys, consisting mainly of the pedestal with azimuth and elevation drives, the combined sensor with electronic system components, including the missile interface electronics and a multi-purpose launcher. Thanks to its high modularity, ASRAD is suitable for integration on a wide range of wheeled and tracked vehicles.

Designed as an air defence system for VSHORAD guided missiles, missiles like the Stinger (basic, post and RMP and Block 1), IGLA (SA 16), GROM (SA 18) and others can be used. Laser-beam riders like the RBS 70 and Bolide can likewise be operated.

Generally, LeFlaSys will be operated in a reconnaissance and data network, possibly also in conjunction with other VSHORAD/ SHORAD systems. It can, however, also be operated as an autonomous system. Depending on the demands of the customer, STN Atlas will either deliver the complete system including reconnaissance, fire control and the actual weapon platforms or only subsystems.