Mantis

The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) has taken delivery of the modular, automatic and network-capable targeting and interception system (MANTIS) air defence system from Rheinmetall Defence.

The weapon system is scheduled to be deployed with the 1st air defence squadron (Flugabwehrraketengeschwader 1), based at Husum, Germany, after the air force assumed responsibility for all national air defence and anti-aircraft missions from the German Army in August 2010.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Rheinmetall Defence executive board member Bodo Garbe said: ”It is a highly effective system, capable of countering a wide array of threats in future operational scenarios. Moreover, its open architecture design makes it a future-proof investment.”

Derived from Oerlikon Skyshield air defence technology, the Mantis is a short-range counter-rocket, artillery and mortar (C-RAM) system designed to safeguard military sites and critical civilian infrastructure from aerial threats, such as low-flying manned and unmanned aircraft.

The system was specifically developed to protect the army’s forward-operating bases in Masar-I-Sharif and Kunduz, Afghanistan, from rocket, artillery and mortar attacks.

Equipped with six 35mm automatic guns, two sensor units and a central command ground-control unit, the system is capable of recognising missiles fired onto a base from approximately 3km, enabling the gun to instantly destroy threats in a calculated flight path.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The gun’s firing is based on Rheinmetall Weapons and Munitions- developed mission-specific programmable and air burst advanced hit efficiency and destruction (AHEAD) ammunition, which has a payload of 152 tungsten projectiles.

Mantis can also be used to protect national territory and allied nations during conflict and post-conflict situations and also in military operations other than war (MOOTW).

Image: the German Army’s Mantis air defence system. Photo: courtesy of Rheinmetall AG.