The IRIS-T SLS MK 4 is designed to protect troops on the move and critical infrastructure from airborne threats. The fourth generation of the IRIS-T SLS system has an effective range of 12 km and altitude coverage of up to 6 km.
The system combines radar, command-and-control, launcher and effectors on a single vehicle. Diehl Defence said this makes it an “all-in-one” solution.
The company said the system’s high mobility and compact design allow it to be relocated in a very short time. A high degree of automation also reduces manpower requirements and supports very fast response times.
The vehicle-independent design is intended to provide flexibility for different customer requirements. Diehl Defence said this allows the system to be adapted to varied operational and procurement needs.
The proven IRIS-T air-to-air missile is used as the effector. Diehl Defence said the missile remains unchanged in hardware and is expected to enable a future “fire-on-the-move” capability.
That capability would allow the missile to be fired while the vehicle is moving. The system can also integrate additional effectors, including Diehl Defence’s C-UAV eMissile CICADA or a weapon station.
The IRIS-T SLS system is already fully integrated into Diehl Defence’s concept of multi-layered air defence. The company said the MK 4 upgrade consistently meets NATO standards and operational requirements.
The new version includes increased payload capacity with an eightfold load. Diehl Defence said this raises the system’s combat effectiveness.
The IRIS-T missile remains the core element of Diehl Defence’s ground-based air defence approach. The company said the combat-proven SLS system and its MK 4 development are intended to provide high performance in dynamic threat scenarios.
