TKMS to complete IDAS submarine-launched missile development

thyssenkrupp Marine Systems press release

The ‘Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines’ (IDAS) system is being developed in close cooperation between thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Diehl Defence. Both companies are combining their expertise in the IDAS Consortium to develop a guided missile that can specifically engage air threats from a submerged submarine. This globally unique technology will be available to customers of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Diehl Defence and will revolutionise the protection of submarines and their crews.

“We are delighted that this innovation project can now also be launched. At thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, we are contributing to a completely new capability in the field of submarine self-defence, while at the same time strengthening the safety of people and materials in challenging future deployment scenarios.”
Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.

IDAS sets new standards in maritime security. By combining an advanced guided missile and a new ejection unit, submarine crews will in future be able to defend themselves against attacks and detection attempts from the air.

The IDAS project, which has now been commissioned, ‘Development and qualification of a guided missile unit consisting of a guided missile and ejection device for active self-defence of submarines against attacks from the air’ takes submarine defence to a new level.

Naval News comments:

TKMS has been working on the development of IDAS in cooperation with Diehl Defence in the IDAS Consortium for nearly 20 years: While the latter is responsible for the missile technology partly based on IRIS-T (which it produces) the former is in charge of submarine integration with an ejection container and the onboard system.

As we reporter previously, IDAS is fired from a standard torpedo tube out of an ejection container the size of a standard heavyweight torpedo, which means it could easily be fitted onto any existing submarine. It features an imaging Infra-Red (IR) seeker, based on a technology that has already been extensively proven on the IRIS-T medium range IR homing missile, and a fiber optic link.

source : navalnews