Three German companies join efforts to create a cruise missile for MLRS “MARS II”

Three German companies signed a cooperation agreement to develop a JFS-M missile for a multiple launch rocket system.

The memorandum was signed by MBDA, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and ESG Elektroniksystem-und Logistik-GmbH (ESG).

The agreement seeks to strengthen the artillery capabilities of the German army.

The aim of the collaboration is further expand and implementation of the Joint Fire Support Missile (JFS-M) concept for the German armed forces.

A new JFS-M guided missile will be used with existing “MARS II” (М270) artillery rocket systems in the Bundeswehr and other platforms.

“MARS II” (М270) is manufactured under license by KMW, while the control station will be borrowed from ESG, which produces the ADLER III weapon control and deployment system.

The JFS-M missile production will be handled by MBDA. The company has particular expertise in cruise missiles creation.

According to the designer engineers, the missile’s range of this system will reach approximately 500 kilometers.

The task on the agenda for the three companies’ engineers is to fit into the rocket-pod containers of multiple-launch rocket systems.

The standard version contains six rocket-pod containers. Presumably, their number will be reduced to two so that cruise missiles can be conveniently arranged.

The size requirements are pretty severe, taking into account that the missiles should be inexpensive at the Bundeswehr’s request.

According to the idea of MBDA designers, the missile must safely enter the range of enemy air defense, identify potential targets until it is detected and spot new threats in sufficient time to neutralize them. To do this, JFS-M will actively maneuver, hiding behind the natural bends of the landscape to confuse the air defense and hide the launch position.