At Navdex 2019 in Abu Dhabi last month, MBDA showcased its SPIMM (Self-Protection Integrated Mistral Module) concept, an "all-in-one" air defence module based on the SIMBAD-RC system and designed to equip ships of all types, according to the manufacturer. It can be fitted those platforms without a combat system (e.g. supply ships). The SPIMM module consists of a SIMBAD-RC automated naval turret equipped with two ready-to-fire Mistral missiles and a 360-degree infrared panoramic system to detect and track air and surface threats. The system is entirely controlled by two operators located in a shelter inside the module, which is also used to store four additional missiles. This ISO standard "allin-one" module, 10ft long and weighing some 7t, can be easily positioned on the deck of a ship using a crane, and requires just a standard electrical connection. Designed to protect surface vessels against most conventional airborne threats (anti-ship missiles, combat aircraft, helicopters, drones), the SIMBAD-RC and Mistral demonstrated, at the end of 2018, its ability to neutralise asymmetric threats such as Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC), MBDA noted.
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