ADATS just
gets better

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The  missile system mounted on a M113 chassis, stands guard during a deployment to the middle east.
The complete answer to an insidious threat
Over 70

countries

deploy 75,000

cruise missiles

capable of

precision

land- attack

and posing serious

threats to

national interests

Cruise missiles are not the only threat operating in the very low-level zone, beneath long-range radar-sensor coverage. Air threats in this zone include aircraft with terrain following navigation systems, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used for reconnaissance or to direct weapons. These have enhanced stand-off capabilities and can engage targets beyond the range of man-portable, ground-based air-defence systems.
SHORAD systems are designed to fill the gap between HIMAD and VSHORAD systems and provide a capability against low-level, stand off threats but only ADATS, the world's leading SHORAD system, provides total protection against all low-level, surface and zero-altitude threats. Manufactured by Oerlikon Aerospace
(OA) it employs passive electro-optical tracking, making it difficult to detect and countermand. Quick reaction time, unjammable, laser-guided, Mach 3+ missiles make ADATS rapid, highly accurate and lethal. Uniquely it provides anti-tank and anti-vessel capabilities and its dual-purpose missile warhead can defeat airborne threats, penetrating 900mm of armour.
ADATS can be employed as a stand-alone weapons system or integrate with other ADATS units or theatre-level air-defence forces, in a BM/C3 network. In a C3 network, all ADATS units exchange information on targets, engagements and weapons, providing co-ordinated fire control, rapid reaction and extensive flexibility.

Over 200 live firings make ADATS the world's most proven and tested new-generation SHORAD system. It scored an unsurpassed 90 per cent plus success ratio in Canada, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and the US and has been proven in various configurations and on Ml13, M3 Bradley and 10 x 10 Piranha mobile platforms. The shelter version has been deployed in Thailand and an ADATS transportable launcher, designed to integrate with the Skyshield modular air-defence system, was announced in 1996.
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Layered air defence
A product-improvement programme will produce a Mk.ll version, ADATS' modular concept being designed to facilitate such upgrades. This programme will include an enhanced C3 system with high throughput digital radios and tactical internet; multi purpose operator consoles; a new tactical processing unit; new electronics cabinet, current-generation, forward-looking infrared (FLlR) sensor and CCD-TV; improved radar; new missile fuse; eye-safe laser rangefinder and a new embedded trainer. It will provide growth potential, a flexible topology for improvements and be more user-friendly.
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An ADATS unit fires one of its eight, ready-to-fire missiles
Processing speed will be increased and digital radios will provide a high-bandwidth communications system that can be integrated with theatre-level air-defence forces using the OA tactical internet solution. Based on ADATS C3 development experience, OA's internet-based battle management command, control and communications system (BM/C3) will overcome inter-operability and data-handling deficiencies in tactical air-defence systems.
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ADATS is the only SHORAD system in the world that can engage both air and surface targets.
This will boost the supply of information to battlefield air-defence units and command posts, enhance interoperability with other C3 networks and allow near real-time awareness. The tactical internet system emphasises NATO standards and open systems design. Air- defence units can receive and exchange the air picture from external sources via LLAPI, LINK 16 and Link 11, NATO standard datalink protocols. This greatly enhances ADATS' ability to detect and engage threats passively.Oerlikon Aerospace and GEC-Marconi Radar & Defence Systems (GMRDS) offer a naval version of ADATS to fulfil inner-layer missile system requirements for the 22-ship, Horizon frigate programme.
Called Sea Sprint it offers protection against supersonic, manoeuvring anti-ship missiles. Its high speed (Mach 3+), high manoeuvrability (60G), long-range, accuracy and lethal warhead engages sea-skimming threats at safe neutralising distances. It replaces short-range, ship-borne air-defence systems that lack anti-missile capabilities and can engage patrol boats and landing craft. It can be mounted on small-class war ships, corvettes and coastal patrol vessels.
The radio network planning system (RNPS) developed by OA is a powerful radio network tactical planning and analysis tool. It provides a portable system for planning and siting radio transmitters, radar, antennas and repeaters worldwide. A 3-D DTED map database allows sighting in advance of ADATS units for optimal radar, BM/C3 and missile coverage and assesses avenues of approach of forces trying to penetrate under radar-sensor coverage. RNPS has a video-analysis mode that inserts flight-path co-ordinates giving visual determination of when and where an attacker will be detected by an ADATS unit or other air-defence radar systems. This powerful tool allows military planners to assess air-defence requirements and maximise effective deployment of air-defence assets.
Established in Canada in 1986, Oerlikon Aerospace Inc. is a division of the Oerlikon Contraves Defence Group. OA has world production and marketing mandates for the ADATS missile system and delivered 36 ADATS units to Canadian Armed Forces and produced units for the US Army and the Royal Thai Air Force. It is an advanced systems integrator with wide experience of providing complete life-cycle support services. Located in Saint Jean-sur-Richelieu, OA's production facilities include assembly and calibration equipment for electro-optic, electronic and mechanical systems, vehicle and system test tracks and modular assembly and test bays for integration of systems and subsystems.

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