The German company "DIEHL BGT" is completing the creation of an air defense missile system MD under the name "IRIS-T SLM". It is designed to provide anti-aircraft protection for settlements, important infrastructure facilities, military camps and bases. In 2014, it is planned to put this MD "IRIS-T SLM" air defense system into service and begin mass production. The IRIS-T SLM short-range anti-aircraft missile system will be part of the unified NATO anti-missile and air defense system deployed in the European Union.
The creation of a new air defense system BD is carried out in accordance with a contract for the development of a modern guided missile and a launcher for the needs of German air defense. Launch complexes are highly mobile and can be transported on airplanes of the C-130 type. The missiles are delivered in lightweight fiberglass maintenance-free containers (TPK). With the help of TPM from manipulators, 8 TPK with missiles are loaded onto the launcher in 10 minutes. The missile has a fragmented warhead, which excludes the possibility of detonation during transportation or in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
The base for the new air defense system was the IRIS-T SL missile, which, in turn, is a modification for the ground launch of the IRIS-T air-to-air missile. The development of missiles for ground complexes begins in 2007. The first launch of the IRIS-T SL from a ground launcher took place in 2009. Tests were also carried out in 2010 and 2011 (five in total). The test site is South Africa. The missile, which is used by the IRIS-T SLM air defense missile system, is being actively tested and refined today.
Complex "IRIS-T SLM", according to the published data of the developer company, is an export version of the anti-aircraft missile system, provided with modified IRIS-T SL. Just like the predecessor IRIS-T, which is in service with European countries, the new air defense system is planned to be delivered to several European countries.
The missiles are launched with a vertical launch from the TPK. For targeting, a radar station is either Giraffe AMB circular view, or a new development of a radar with a phased array.
Giraffe AMB has the following characteristics:
- detection range - 100 kilometers;
- detection altitude - 20 kilometers;
- simultaneous tracking - 150 air objects.
The new radar with phased array is quite an interesting development. Based on the design, it can be seen that the radar has a circular view and is capable of providing guidance and tracking missiles by rotating the hexagonal antenna surfaces. It is quite possible that this radar is multifunctional and provides guidance using the radio command method at certain sections of the missile's flight. As you can see, the side surfaces can turn even when the machine is moving.
There is also a more simplified development of the air defense system. First, it uses Iris-SL missiles, created from the Iris-T aircraft variant. Secondly, as you can see, to reduce the cost, the missiles are installed directly on the launcher, without TPK. The present gray rocket is an Iris-SLM missile using radar guidance (homing and active radar seeker are possible).
The IRIS-T SLM air defense missile system provides all-round protection against aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, missiles and other weapons. He is able to fight against multiple targets even at a very short distance and short reaction times. The air defense missile system carries 8 TPK with IRIS-T SL missiles. Provided with full automation of the missile launch process, it can carry continuous combat duty with a minimum of personnel.
The missiles can be launched in very rapid succession at targets up to 40 kilometers away and up to 20 kilometers high. The “dead zone” for the “IRIS-T SLM” air defense missile system is a little less than one kilometer. OMS "TOC" is operated by two operators. It has an open architecture and can be integrated into existing air defense and missile defense systems.
