Adelaide-based Supashock Defence Technologies and Rheinmetall, the largest supplier of military vehicles to the Australian Defence Force have signed a contract to supply Missile Launch Pods (MLP) for export to a NATO Allied Partner.
Chief Executive Officer of Supashock Defence Technologies, Oscar Fiorinotto and Rheinmetall Chief Executive Officer, Armin Papperger, signed the contract that would see 84 missile launchers exported under a new two year contract.
Mr Fiorinotto said that with the new contract, Supashock’s production programs of the missile launcher now exceeded AUD 20 million dollars, creating approximately 25 direct jobs within Supashock, and supporting a further 85 roles through local supply chains.
“The landmark technology development brings a new and unique industry niche to the state of South Australia.
“This contract from Rheinmetall will further boost Supashock’s export activities and cements the capability of our sovereign defence industry. Supashock is proud to play our role in Australian IP development and manufacturing,” Mr Fiorinotto said.
Rheinmetall Chief Executive Officer, Armin Papperger said the contract signing was timely with the first of 209 Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicles delivered to the Hungarian armed forces last week, with Australian-made Lance Turret to be included in the program.
“The Missile Launch Pod, a completely modular design would be integrated into the Lance Turret. The integration decreases target-ability and when fitted with armour plating, provides additional protection.
“The modularity of the MLP offers capability for multi-platform application, the architecture can be modified to suit many land and sea applications,” Mr. Papperger said.
Supashock developed the MLP in conjunction with partners, Rheinmetall Electronics and Rheinmetall Land Systems Germany. The design was achieved through Supashock’s expertise in kinematics, mechatronics, electronics, composite design, analysis and rapid prototyping. The advantage of utilising composite materials in comparison to the metal alternatives was the achievement of a light-weight structure, that maintains strength and rigidity.
The MLP leads the global competition of the SPIKE missile with a locking system and damping structure. This combined function protects the missile payload and sub-system when stowed in the turret, enabling it to withstand vibration and shock experienced when travelling or performing extreme manoeuvres in combat. Acting as a safety mechanism, the locking system ensures the MLP cannot be unintentionally deployed or tampered with from the outside. The competitive advantage is the rapid deployment and total disengagement of the damping structure for firing, increasing strike precision.
Rheinmetall’s valuable partnership with Supashock was formed in 2017 and has seen many new technologies developed here in South Australia, integrated onto global Rheinmetall platforms already integrated into their global supply chain, including the advanced running gear to be exported aboard Rheinmetall LYNX vehicles to Europe.
