DSEI 2025: Rheinmetall debuts MASS nova shipborne soft-kill system

Rheinmetall's MASS nova shipborne soft-kill system at DSEI 2025. (Janes/Richard Scott)

Rheinmetall has unveiled a new instantiation of its widely sold Multi Ammunition Soft-kill System (MASS) shipborne self-protection system at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2025 exhibition held in London from 9 to 12 September.

Known as MASS nova, the latest variant introduces a new trainable launcher assembly incorporating a variable fan angle and increased capacity for 81 mm Omni-Trap decoy ammunition. It also adds a new radio frequency (RF) countermeasure in the form of a decoy drone with a ship's signature.

According to Rheinmetall, the new-generation MASS nova launcher will provide additional volume for Omni-Trap ammunition (40 + 4 decoys) and will be capable of firing decoys faster to reduce time-to-effect. The system uses the latest rocket-powered extended-range Omni-Trap ER Mk 2 munition, which increases range out to 400 m.

These changes, together with the variable fan pattern will enable “dense screening at various distances and more precise placement of the countermeasure”, Rheinmetall said.

The other big change associated with MASS nova is the development of a new RF effector in the form of a so-called 3D Decoy Swarm (3DDS). Launched from the MASS nova launcher, the 3DDS drones act as a swarm to generate a realistic three-dimensional RF return that can progressively separate from the host ship in a ship-like manner, regardless of the wind conditions.

For more information, please see Special Report: Chemring Countermeasures invests to enable smarter maritime soft kill .