The Canadian department of national defence announced that the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigates will be getting two upgrades related to electronic warfare (EW) and countermeasures. The Halifax-class frigates possess a number of systems and platforms that respond to various types of threats. The frigates also employ a number of counter-measures to protect themselves. As armament continues to evolve, so must these defense systems.
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Fredericton off Norfolk, Virginia, in November 2014. File photo: Lt(N) Jennifer Fidler, Royal Canadian Navy
The Reprogrammable Advance Multimode Shipboard Electronic Countermeasures System (RAMSES) is an electronic attack system that protects the modernized Halifax-class frigates against radio frequency guided missiles. RAMSES employs jamming signals to trick and distract anti-ship missiles (ASM) from hitting the ship. Through a contract with Lockheed Martin Canada, key parts of RAMSES will undergo a comprehensive technology refresh. The contract also secures repair, overhaul, engineering changes, and ongoing support services.This work will ensure the system remains relevant and capable for the life of the Halifax-class frigates.
Along with RAMSES, MASS is an integral part of the anti-ship missile defence suite in the Halifax-class frigates. It is a firing system used to launch decoys to protect vessels against anti-ship missiles guided by radio-frequency, laser, and infrared seekers. The Halifax-class frigates currently possess a two-launcher configuration. Through a contract with Rheinmetall Canada, the Royal Canadian Navy will enhance this configuration to a three-launcher configuration. This will augment the protection of the Canadian multi-role frigates to 360° coverage and improve defensibility from modern threats in a variety of situations.
Navy Recognition previously mentionned the MASS contract award.
