KNDS and Elbit Systems agree to form EuroPULS joint venture

KNDS Deutschland has self-funded EuroPULS MARS 3. (KNDS)

KNDS Deutschland and Elbit Systems have agreed to establish a 50:50 EuroPULS joint venture, headquartered in Kassel, to market the Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS), KNDS announced in a press release on 26 March. The joint venture is aimed at addressing European armed forces' multiple rocket launcher (MRL) requirements.

KNDS Deutschland chief technology officer Axel Scheibel said, “Elbit contributes its battle-proven rocket launcher system PULS [to the joint venture] while KNDS brings its advanced fire control technology and broad European customer base.”

KNDS Deutschland has self-funded the EuroPULS Multi-domain Artillery Rocket System (MARS) 3 launcher mounted on an Iveco Trakker 8x8 vehicle. With a crew of three in a protected cabin and protection levels to customer specifications, MARS 3 has a combat weight of less than 38 tonnes. Its 500 hp engine allows a maximum speed of 90 km/h with a range over 750 km. It is air-transportable and uses an onboard crane for autonomous resupply.

EuroPULS will offer European production and safety and security standards; a modular fire control system (FCS); and command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) connectivity. The MARS 3 has two pods with 180° coverage and can use a mix of European legacy and PULS rockets, while being adaptable for future munitions. KNDS Deutschland said the system can fire 12 rockets of unstated type in approximately 60 seconds.

Elbit will provide standard effectors including Accular rockets with a range of up to 35 km, Predator Hawk rockets with a range of up to 300 km and the Skystriker loitering munition.In partnership with Diehl Defence, Elbit is offering Extended Range Artillery (EXTRA) rockets with a range of up to 150 km.