01 December 2020

Diehl Defence unveils IRIS-T-SLS Mk III mobile SHORAD system

by Robin Hughes

Driven by burgeoning global requirements for more versatile short-range air-defence (SHORAD) solutions, Diehl Defence is finalising development of a new, fully-integrated modular evolution of its IRIS-T-SLS ground-based air-defence system.

The new IRIS-T-SLS Mk III design incorporates all the components of an integrated air-defence system on a single wheeled armoured platform, including a compact multimission 3D surveillance radar with an integrated identification friend-or-foe (IFF) system on telescopic mast, a command-and-control (C2) system, and a configuration of four IRIS-T infrared-guided interceptors. The current selected carrier platform is the General Dynamics European Land Systems Eagle V 6×6 variant wheeled armoured vehicle. “The solution enables a detect, track, and engage on the move capability, as well as faster and more efficient reload in the field, with minimum personnel,” a Diehl Defence spokesperson told Janes .

The current selected carrier platform for the IRIS-T-SLS Mk III is the General Dynamics European Land Systems Eagle V 6×6 variant wheeled armoured vehicle (shown here in a computer generated image). (Diehl Defence)

“For the C2 and radar/IFF solutions we are adopting the same flexible, modular system architecture approach that we implemented with the development of our IRIS-T SLM [medium-range air-defence system],” the spokesperson said.

“For the current [IRIS-T-SLS] Mk III demonstrator we have identified two radar solutions: the Saab Giraffe 1X lightweight multifunction radar and a version of the Hensoldt Spexer lightweight, low power, X-band radar. For the C2 system, we envisage a variant of the Airbus Fortion Integrated Battle Management Software (IBMS) system.

“The IRIS-T interceptor is launched from a fixed slanted position but still provides 360° engagement capability enabled by the high agility of the interceptor. Interceptors are launched in a lock-on-after-launch mode; in a specific sector, lock-on-before-launch is also possible,” he added.

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