MBDA has recently conducted a triumphant qualification test of the innovative Medium Advanced Air Defence System (MAADS), a cutting-edge medium-range missile defense framework crafted by MBDA utilizing the CAMM-ER missile. The Italian Air Force will administer MAADS, supplanting the SPADA system as their Short Range Air Defence (SHORAD) capability while gaining enhanced medium-range abilities.
The exercise marked a significant benchmark, as for the first time, the Detection Centre module (BMC4I Sirius with an upgraded software) was assessed and certified, coupled with the CAMM-ER missile. The evaluation employed a target drone emulating an assault by an adversarial aircraft on the launcher, validating the defensive attributes and efficacy of both the missile and the comprehensive system in a unified configuration.
MBDA serves as the principal designer of the entire framework, which comprises the Detection Centre module – encompassing MBDA’s Battle Management Command, Control, Communication, Computer & Intelligence (BMC4i) and Leonardo’s Kronos Land radar – along with the Launcher and the MBDA’s CAMM-ER missile.
Throughout the assessment, the Detection Centre detected the target drone in attack mode, subsequently identifying and classifying it, recognizing the nature of the threat, and then assessing the appropriate defense strategy to implement, ultimately commanding a successful launch of CAMM-ER to neutralize the threat. The exercise also confirmed the proper operation of the bidirectional datalink between CAMM-ER and MAADS.
The triumph of this qualification is attributed to the collaborative efforts of the integrated Italian and British teams at MBDA, in conjunction with the qualified assistance of SEGREDIFESA (Segretariato Generale della Difesa e Direzione Nazionale degli Armamenti).
CAMM-ER is the extended-range missile from the next-generation CAMM family of air defense missiles devised by the United Kingdom and Italy. It will take the place of Aspide in the air defense systems of the Italian Air Force and the Italian Army. CAMM-ER is also integrated into the Albatros NG naval system, already exported, to enhance the Naval Based Air Defence (NBAD) capabilities of naval fleets.
Both CAMM-ER and CAMM feature a sophisticated active seeker and a “cold launch” mechanism (Soft Vertical Launch). CAMM-ER boasts an altered aerodynamic profile and incorporates a larger engine – engineered by AVIO – to afford an extended operational range.
