The US Army is strengthening the protection of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles with a new electronic warfare system from BAE Systems

BAE Systems has been awarded a contract by the US Army to develop the Multi-Class Soft Kill System (MCSKS), an advanced electronic warfare technology designed to enhance the survivability of ground combat vehicles against guided missiles and close-in threats. The program aims to significantly enhance vehicle protection systems, thereby enhancing mission success in challenging and hazardous environments.

The MCSKS program is based on the advancement of two laser countermeasure systems: Stormcrow and TERRA RAVEN, which are key components of the Army’s effort to deploy a robust active protection system (APS). These technologies neutralize threats while optimizing the use of kinetic countermeasures, providing more effective protection for combat vehicles.

Jared Belinsky, director of integrated survivability solutions at BAE Systems, highlighted the importance of these advances, noting:

«Modern combat vehicles require active defense systems that can quickly and effectively counter modern threats Missile countermeasures are an integral part of our integrated approach to electromagnetic warfare, forming an Intrepid Shield around our customers' platforms and improving their effectiveness on the battlefield.

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The technology behind these active protection systems stands out for its next-generation capabilities. Using cutting-edge technologies in the electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) and radio frequency (RF) spectrums, these systems are designed to operate in challenging environments, including adverse weather, poor visibility and difficult terrain. Lightweight, modular and cost-effective, they combine multi-functional sensors, intelligent processing and electromagnetic emitters, providing real-time situational awareness and rapid response to threats.

BAE Systems brings significant experience to this project, having provided the US Department of Defense and its allies with combat-proven survivability solutions for decades. This new contract builds on the success of previous programs, including the Advanced Layered Soft Kill System (ALSKS) and Layered Soft Kill System (LSKS), which have demonstrated their effectiveness in several major tests.

The MCSKS countermeasures are being developed and manufactured at BAE Systems’ state-of-the-art facility in Austin, Texas, with support from the FAST Labs R&D facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire. These sites are at the forefront of full-spectrum electromagnetic warfare innovation, reinforcing BAE Systems’ position as a leader in the field.

As threats on the battlefield evolve, the development of advanced systems like MCSKS underscores the U.S. Army’s commitment to protecting its combat vehicles and providing operational advantage.