Fully Integrated Air Defence Capability on Light Vehicles
MBDA is promoting the ATLAS-RC/LIC2ORNE combination at IDEX this week. Used in tandem with the MISTRAL short-range air defence missile, the combination offers substantial protection to mobile units, carried on light armoured vehicles while also integrating into the theatre air defence network.
The MISTRAL is an extremely reliable fire-and-forget air defence missile, with a success rate of nearly 95%. Equipped with an infrared imaging seeker and advanced image processing capabilities, the missile offers excellent countermeasures resistance and can engage low thermal-signature targets such as UAS and turbojet-powered missiles at long range, in addition to the usual combat aircraft and helicopter targets.
The ATLAS-RC is an automated turret, carrying two ready-to-fire MISTRALs controlled from within the vehicle. It is equipped with day/night sensors for fire control and tracking.
LIC²ORNE is a command and control (C2) unit, developed from a set of software already proven on MBDA’s MISTRAL and VL MICA air defence systems. It can coordinate up to 8 ATLAS-RC systems and connect them to higher-level command systems, including using advanced connections such as Link 16 or satellite links. With its ability to use radar or electro-optic sensors, LIC²ORNE ensures that the ATLAS-RC turret has sufficient early warning to make full use of the MISTRAL’s firing envelope.
Thanks to LIC²ORNE’s open architecture, MBDA has been able to build in defences against mini- and micro-UAS in just a few months. These defensive systems can now protect the firing unit against terrorist actions or asymmetric attacks.
“Drawing on the lessons of recent conflicts in Europe or the Middle East, the ATLAS-RC/LIC²ORNE combination is designed to provide a real air defence and engagement capability in the lower layer, while ensuring very high mobility to accompany and protect mobile detachments and front-line units. The deployment of an air defence system as close as possible to ground units is once again becoming a necessity, and a key survivability factor for ground forces,” explained MBDA’s Military Advisor, Land Systems, Francis Bordachar.