Delivered in collaboration through an industrial partnership led
by Leonardo, the Icarus Technology Demonstrator Programme has
developed and proven the Modular Integrated Protection System
(MIPS)
architecture.
This is designed to enable the flexible teaming of a range of
technologies to create a suite of Active Protection Systems
(APS).
APS combine both
sensors to detect and counter-measures to disrupt threats and
forms a protective electronic ‘bubble’ around the vehicle.
The MIPS architecture
enables the development of best of breed APScapabilities with a view to
harmonising modular hardware and software components that can
then provide protection across the close combat vehicle fleet and
future robotic and autonomous
systems platforms.
Further, as a generic safety critical ‘sense to effect’ system,
MIPS
can also support a wider range of threat defeat capabilities such
as countering uncrewed air systems (UAS), counter-surveillance
and even ground-based air defence activities. By developing these
implementations using common principles, support for future
information interoperability and the digital battlespace is being
designed in from the start.
The different technologies are being developed under Modular Open
System Architecture principles to design and connect
interoperable sub-systems that can be deployed across different
land platforms.
While MIPS-enabled
systems can exploit current generation, high maturity
technologies to give near-term systems at low risk, MIPS will also
enable the UK to develop more
advanced capabilities in the future. Advances to 2040 are
expected to include:
- improved sensors - in which multi-spectral devices are
combined with increasingly sophisticated but affordable fast
signal processing
- enhanced information processing, such as data fusion and
artificial intelligence
- improved effectors - in which current counter-munition and
directed-energy technology projects deliver more precise effects
with accurate timing and smaller collateral effect
- improved high-speed directors - compact and affordable energy
storage and motor drive technologies
- improvements in electronic infrastructure component
technologies - where safety and security features developed for
industrial robotic and autonomous systems support dependable
networked active protection implementations
Research and verification of the core architecture has been
completed with the next step being to progress the implementation
of MIPS-compliant
systems to higher technology readiness levels. Depending on the
speed of the development, MIPS could be
brought into service from 2027.
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
Programme Manager, Richard Hooper, said:
MIPS
will help preserve the lives of UK forces by providing agility and
flexibility in APS
capability, allowing us, and our NATO partners, to tailor
solutions to the evolving threat environment and react to changes
in operationally-relevant timeframes.
Tier 1 companies supporting the Leonardo research include Roke,
BAE Systems, Ultra Electronics, Frazer Nash Consultancy, Lockheed
Martin, Abstract Solutions and CGI. Other suppliers included
MOOG, RADA and Rheinmetall.
