Air and Sea Power
Addressing new threat scenarios with tailored system and equipment solutions
Contributing to maritime security through advanced technology Interview with Claus Günther, CEO Diehl Defence Holding, Überlingen
The European: Today around 90 percent of international trade comes and goes by sea. Safeguarding international shipping and waterways through protection and surveillance of maritime trading routes as well as harbour and container security are major tasks in view of widespread piracy and terrorist attacks. Which technologies in Diehl´s naval portfolio are capable of addressing today´s maritime threat scenarios? Claus Günther: Diehl Defence offers technologies addressing this new threat scenario and supporting naval capabilities with tailored system and equipment solutions. They range from guided missiles and ammunition for ship-borne guns providing self-defence as well as precise engagement of sea and land targets to reconnaissance and surveillance systems for reliable threat detection. The European: Can you provide examples of your naval missile expertise? Claus Günther: Diehl Defence delivers the anti-ship missile RBS15 Mk3 as the main weapon system for the German Navy´s new K130 corvette. Moreover, the RBS15 Mk3 missile was procured by the Polish Navy for its ORKAN class fast patrol vessels. RBS15 Mk3, jointly developed by Diehl Defence and Saab Dynamics, is based on the RBS15 Mk2 predecessor which has proved its worth with the Swedish and other navies. A special feature of the missile with a range of more than 200 km is its capability of precise engagement of land targets as well. The European: Are you assembling various missile components in Germany? Claus Günther: Yes we do this at a modern integration and test center in Nonnweiler (Saarland). There Diehl Defence assembles the missile’s seeker, guidance and control section, the warhead and propulsion into an entire system. The European: Diehl Defence is a major partner in the trans-Atlantic Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) program – a collaboration of Raytheon, MBDA Deutschland and Diehl. Can you provide details? Claus Günther: RAM, which is operative in more than a dozen navies, is an advanced ship-board defence system against anti-ship missiles, aircraft and helicopters. Diehl’s workshare comprises manufacture and integration of the missile´s guidance and control sections including the infrared seeker
System SIMONE – Passive Infrared Monitoring System photo: Diehl Defence
head as well as the launch canister. In March 2013, the German Navy placed a procurement contract for 445 RAM 2 missiles of the Block 2 upgrade version. The European: In an industrial consortium, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Diehl Defence are currently pursuing the IDAS project (Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines). What does Diehl offer? Claus Günther: IDAS offers entirely new self-defence possibilities of submerged submarines against threats from the air, from surface vessels and from coastal areas. Thanks to an
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