HENSOLDT MUSS 2.0 360° Active Protection

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HENSOLDT is expanding the capabilities of its Multifunctional Self-Protection System (MUSS) for armoured vehicles, aiming to counter both existing and emerging battlefield threats. Over the past eight years, more than 350 MUSS units have been delivered for the initial series of the PUMA Infantry Fighting Vehicle, establishing MUSS as the only active soft-kill protection system for land platforms in operational service worldwide. With the introduction of MUSS 2.0, HENSOLDT presents a next-generation active protection solution offering layered defence for medium-weight armoured vehicles, self-propelled artillery, infantry fighting vehicles, and main battle tanks.

Credit: HENSOLDT

The challenge of protecting armoured vehicles has persisted since their first appearance in combat. Opposing forces have consistently sought weapons capable of penetrating armour, and the contest between protection and penetration continues today. Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) remain one of the most significant threats, having demonstrated devastating battlefield effectiveness for decades. Despite their name, ATGMs are not limited to tanks; they are employed against a wide range of armoured vehicles. Their use has repeatedly proven decisive in conflicts, restricting manoeuvre and destroying armoured assets. Moreover, the proliferation of ATGMs into the hands of non-state actors and terrorist groups has further complicated the operational environment for conventional forces.

Traditional approaches to countering ATGMs have relied on adding layers of steel armour, spaced armour, advanced composites, or explosive reactive armour. While effective to a degree, these solutions increase vehicle weight, reducing mobility and agility across difficult terrain. Heavier armour also imposes trade-offs, such as limiting ammunition capacity or constraining the size of the primary weapon system. Hardkill active protection systems have emerged as another option, but their weight and power requirements are not always suitable for every platform. MUSS 2.0, designed either as an integrated system from concept or as an appliqué fit, offers a soft-kill solution that avoids collateral damage and provides effective protection without compromising vehicle performance.

HENSOLDT’s Multifunctional Self-Protection System has already proven itself in operational service, protecting crews for over a decade. It remains the only mature soft-kill system available in series production and fielded worldwide. Building on this foundation, HENSOLDT continues to advance the system with enhancements that further optimise its effectiveness against evolving threats.

MUSS 2.0 introduces a range of technical improvements. It delivers enhanced protection against anti-tank guided missiles through advanced jamming techniques. The system’s laser warning capability has been upgraded to counter laser-guided weapons by deploying obscuration measures. Detection performance has been strengthened to identify low-energy laser threats, including laser beam riders and second-generation laser range finders. Missile detection has been improved, and the system now recognises additional threats such as rocket-propelled grenades, tracer ammunition, muzzle flashes, and kinetic energy rounds. 

A wake-up sensor enables coordination with other subsystems, while multi-threat prioritisation ensures effective response under complex conditions. The system achieves lower size, weight, and power requirements, while its mission computer electronics have been enhanced to improve connectivity with onboard systems such as battle management systems and laser-based situational awareness suites, as well as potential inputs from unmanned ground and aerial vehicles. Compliance with NATO standards is ensured through an Ethernet interface aligned with NGVA requirements under STANAG 4754.

HENSOLDT MUSS 2.0

MUSS Countermeasure IR-Jammer

Credit: HENSOLDT
  • Effective against most in-service wire-guided, optically tracked missiles
  • Spoofs the missile launcher by inducing false missile location at the firing position
  • Provides 360° azimuth coverage and enhanced elevation angle, enabling engagement against both ground- and air-launched weapons
  • Automatically optimized after detection and classification of missile type to ensure maximum countermeasure effectiveness

MUSS Sensor Head

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  • System is based on four passive sensor heads
  • Combines missile warning and laser warning sensors in a single housing
  • Transmits collected data to the MUSS Central Electronics for final processing

Laser Warning Sensor

  • Integrated detector element with high sensitivity and precise angle resolution in both azimuth and elevation
  • Detects:
    • LBR (Laser Beam Rider)
    • LTD (Laser Target Designator)
    • LRF (Laser Range Finder)
    • Laser-guided weapon systems
  • Provides early detection of tactical Laser Range Finders

Missile Warning Sensor

  • Detects hostile missiles and munitions upon launch and during flight
  • Operates in the solar-blind UV spectrum, continuously monitoring the surrounding area
  • Detection range spans from near-field to several kilometers
  • Missile plume irradiance signature is pre-processed in the missile warner and then transmitted to the central electronics for further analysis

MUSS Central Electronics

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  • Serves as the link between sensor heads
  • Receives transferred data and performs final missile warning processing
  • Controls and activates the IR Jammer
  • Initiates the adjustable smoke screen dispenser
  • Provides Ethernet, CAN-Bus, and RS422 interfaces for platform connectivity architectures such as MIPS and MAPS

MUSS Smoke Dispenser and Pyrotechnic Ammunition

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  • Ensures safe dispersion with more than 20 meters safety distance from the platform
  • Adjustable smoke dispenser is aligned by MUSS Smoke Electronics toward the threat direction
  • Smoke deployment can also be activated manually by the crew for tactical purposes
  • Optimized for rapid generation of a smoke screen effective across the visible to IR spectral range, disrupting IR-guided or seeker-head-based missiles

Integration with the Puma S1 IFV

  • MUSS 2.0 is fully integrated into the Puma’s architecture, using Ethernet, CAN-Bus, and RS422 interfaces for seamless connectivity.

  • The system enhances survivability without adding excessive weight, preserving the Puma’s agility.