Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) is a naval self-defence system produced by Rheinmetall of Germany. It is connected to the ship's sensors and protects ships from attacks by advanced sensor-guided missiles by launching decoys that operate in all relevant wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum: ultraviolet, electro-optical, laser, infrared and radar. MASS can either be integrated with the command and control system of a warship, or can operate autonomously. Rheinmetall Defence stated that "MASS has attracted orders from 9 nations, for 130 launchers, on 15 different classes of naval vessels" as of 31 March 2009. As of 3 March 2011, this has been expanded to a total order of at least 172 units. Roughly one year later, on 17 April 2012, the total was 186 launchers for 22 different classes of vessels in 11 different nations.
Customers Germany: Brandenburg-class frigates, Braunschweig-class corvettes, Frankenthal-class minehunters, Kulmbach-class mine hunters, Baden-Württemberg-class frigates and the future F126 frigates Australia: Hobart-class destroyers and Anzac-class frigates Canada: Halifax-class frigates Denmark: Absalon-class frigate and Iver-Huitfeldt-class (after update) Finland: Hamina-class missile boats, Hämeenmaa-class minelayers, Rauma-class missile boats, Pohjanmaa-class corvettes New Zealand: Anzac-class frigates, as part of the ANZAC modernization programme. Norway: Skjold-class corvettes Oman: Khareef-class corvettes Pakistan: Tariq-class destroyers Peru: Lupo-class frigate South Korea: LST-II-class landing ships Sweden: Göteborg-class corvettes, Stockholm-class corvettes, and Visby-class corvettes United Arab Emirates: Baynunah-class corvettes, Abu Dhabi-class corvettes, Falaj 2-class patrol vessels
Future operators Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Navy's New Multi-Purpose Corvettes are going to Utilize the MASS system.
References
Further reading Rheinmetall Defence - Mass Multi Ammunition Softkill System Rheinmetall Defence (March 31/09) - Rheinmetall to equip Canadian Navy frigates with Mass Rheinmetall Defence (April 21/08) - Mass decoy system safeguards ships from symmetric and asymmetric threats Behoerden Spiegel - MASS fuer die VAE