BAE Systems to further develop Multi-Class Soft Kill System for US Army AFVs

BAE Systems has been awarded a follow-on contract from the US Army to further develop its Multi-Class Soft Kill System (MCSKS) countermeasures to protect ground combat vehicles against missiles and other threats, the company announced on 19 November 2024.

Under the follow-on MCSKS contract BAE Systems will further develop its laser-based Stormcrow and Terra Raven countermeasure systems, advancing the US Army’s electronic warfare (EW)-based active protection system (APS) work. These advanced systems effectively counter threats while allowing AFV crews to conserve their kinetic countermeasures.

BAE Systems’ APSs provide next-generation layered defence capabilities for vehicles and maritime platforms, leveraging advanced electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) and radio-frequency (RF) spectrum technologies. They use multi-function sensors, intelligent processing and electromagnetic emitters to provide enhanced situational awareness and threat response in all weather and lighting conditions and in challenging terrain and complex battlespaces.

The systems are small, modular, lightweight, rugged and cost-efficient, according to the company.

“Today’s combat vehicles need active protection systems that quickly and efficiently counter modern threats,” Jared Belinsky, director of Integrated Survivability Solutions at BAE Systems, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “Missile countermeasures are part of our full-spectrum approach to electromagnetic warfare. We’re creating an ‘Intrepid Shield’ around our customers’ platforms, improving their effectiveness on the battlefield.”

Intrepid Shield is BAE Systems’ concept for creating a protective sphere around platforms in highly contested battlespaces, using the full electro-magnetic spectrum to detect, exploit, and counter advanced threats.

The MCSKS contract builds on BAE Systems’ successful execution of the Advanced Layered Soft Kill System (ALSKS) and Layered Soft Kill System (LSKS) development programmes, including several successful capability demonstrations.

The company’s vehicle protection systems are developed and manufactured at its facilities in Austin, Texas, with research and development support from the company’s FAST Labs organisation in Merrimack, New Hampshire.