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MBDA unveils new short-range air defense platform

By Ryan Maass
MBDA Missile Systems showcased its new Mistral ATLAS-RC during the HOMSEC 2017 conference in Mardrid, Spain, on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of MBDA Missile Systems
MBDA Missile Systems showcased its new Mistral ATLAS-RC during the HOMSEC 2017 conference in Mardrid, Spain, on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of MBDA Missile Systems

March 14 (UPI) -- MBDA Missile Systems revealed its new short-range air defense system, the Mistral ATLAS-RC, during the HOMSEC 2017 conference in Madrid, Spain.

In a statement announcing the new product's debut, the company said the new platform is specifically designed for "very short" range engagements, and tailored to the security needs of Spain's defense ministry.

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The platform is comprised of a turret made to be mounted on light armored armored vehicles such as the URO VAMTAC ST5 used by the Spanish army, armed with two Mistral missiles and a thermal sight. Users are able to operate the weapon system from inside the armored vehicle, a feature MBDA says makes their customers safer from threats.

Mistral ATLAS-RC operators are able to move the turret in any direction.

According to MBDA, the solution is ideal for combating airborne threats such as fixed and rotary-wing aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The system features a fire-and-forget capability and a full-imaging seeker designed to avoid countermeasures.

HOMSEC 2017 is a security industry conference currently being held in Madrid from March 14 to 16. The exhibits focus on urban and civil assets, areas the event's organizers say have a growing demand for innovative security solutions.

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