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Active
countermeasures are developed in Germany by Diehl, under the AWiSS
program. The system is designed as a lightweight suite, adaptable
for the protection of heavy and light vehicles.
 The system
comprises of search and track Ka band radar, capable of operation
in low visibility conditions. After the threat is detected by the
radar, the directional countermeasure unit is rapidly traversed,
at rapid slewing rate (over 600 degrees/sec.) aiming at the
general
directional of the threat. At this stage the target is handed over
to the launcher mounted sensor, which performs the ballistic
calculations for the final intercept. Each launcher has three-or four canister launchers that fire grenades
ahead of the vehicle, in the direction of the incoming threat.
 AWiSS
uses a 3kg grenade, which can engage anti-tank missiles and anti tank
rockets (such as RPGs). The system has a response rate of 355 ms -
detecting incoming threats at a range of 75 meters and engaging
them with a grenade at a range of 10 meters from the target.
AWiSS is desegned
to defeat RPGs and other Anti Tank munitions fired from close
range,
as well as standoff AT missiles. It also offers significant
reduction of a Kinetic Energy (KE) projectile's penetration
capability.
AWiSS system
comprised of a radar and two launchers provides 360 degrees
coverage and weighs 400kg. The system adds 400mm elevation above
the armor, and requires additional 400 mm clearance under the
armor.
In addition to the protection of main
battle tanks, potential AWiSS applications include defense of
military and special vehicles, equipped with basic protection
against mines, explosives and small calibre projectiles. In this
category AWiSS provides additional protection against widespread
rocket-propelled grenades and modern missiles. Due to its rapid
reaction time, AWiSS is also suited for operation in urban
terrain, protecting against direct fire and ballistic projectiles.
In a recent testn
conducted July 21, 2007 AWiSS operation was, demonstrated to high
level German military and MOD representatives and international
delegations, Diehl BGT Defence´s AWiSS active protection system
successfully defeated a rapidly approaching MILAN anti-tank
missile. The
autonomously operating demonstrator system, deployed on a Leopard
2 main battle tank, was able to automatically detect the threat in
time, to precisely track the missile and to neutralize it through
controlled ignition of a fragmentation grenade. The remaining
fragments as well as the MILAN´s hollow loading device no longer
posed any danger to the battle tank. (Photo of the test shown
below). According to Diehl BGT Defense, the system could become
operational within 2 - 3 years.
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