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Mehrrollenfähigen Leichten Lenkflugkörpersystem (MELLS)

Outside the German Armed Forces, Mehrrollenfähigen Leichten Lenkflugkörpersystem (MELLS) is known under the name Spike LR. The MELLS guided missile system replaces the older anti-tank weapons MILAN and TOW in the Bundeswehr. The multi-role light guided missile system (MELLS) is an anti-tank weapon capable of day and night combat with a maximum combat range of 4,000 meters. MELLS is a multi-role, lightweight guided missile system. MELLS is mainly used to combat targets on the ground such as battle tanks, armored weapon systems or hardened positions. The Bundeswehr is gradually replacing the MILAN anti-tank guided missile with MELLS.

In the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, MELLS is used as a weapon integrated into the vehicle. MELLS is used in the infantry in dismounted combat by at least two soldiers. One soldier is used as a rifleman, the second person is active as a squad leader. The weapon system must be set up stationary on a tripod before use.

The MELLS anti-tank system can be fired from a tripod on the ground, from vehicles or from helicopters. The data transmission via fiber optic cable enables the shooter to switch to another target or to correct holdover points while the missile is in flight. The shooter can also lock onto a target to which there is no visual contact before being shot. Furthermore, the guided missile can fly to the target independently after being fired. The so-called "Fire-and-Forget" ability enables the shooter to change position quickly, immediately after the shot.

Soon more weapon systems of the modern MELLS system will be added to the 26th Paratrooper Regiment. Hence, the training of new weapon system operators is very important. This applies both to the companies' heavy platoons and to the anti-parachute defense platoon. MELLS will be used in different variations for the paratroopers. Infantry forces can use MELLS in a portable version or as an on-board weapon for the Wiesel 1 weapon carrier.

The training of the soldiers takes a total of four weeks in advance. The focus is on weapons and equipment training as well as training on the shooting simulator. In the practical training, the future weapon system operators then deal intensively with observation exercises and position building. A passed, written test and the successful gunner test are basic requirements in order to be able to fire the so-called sharp shot on the training area. Gaining experience and practical relevance with MELLS, as in Baumholder, is vital for a future anti-tank soldier. The soldier must be familiar with the weapon in every situation. Because only with the so-called sharp shot is the training to become an anti-tank soldier MELLS completed.

There are two main features that distinguish MELLS from its two predecessors MILAN ( Missiled'Infanterie léger Antichar) and TOW (Tube Launched Optically Tracked Wire): The data transmission via optical fiber enables the shooter to aim at another target while the missile is in flight. MILAN and TOW were wired and had to be steered to the finish line by the shooter. The special thing about MELLS is the so-called “fire and forget” ability. This enables the shooter to change position quickly after the shot, as the guided missile hits its target independently. Due to the particularly long range of the rocket-propelled weapon system of 4,000 meters, the security area extends over the entire military training area. This is always a particularly demanding task for the soldiers.

On March 31, the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) signed two contracts with the company EuroSpike GmbH for the procurement of a further 1,000 guided missiles and 97 weapons systems from Multi-role light guided missile system (MELLS). “MELLS has proven itself in the troops and we are happy to equip our soldiers and to be able to advance soldiers with the now commissioned supplementary procurement", said Michael Engelmann, who is the first director at BAAINBw and head of the head Office Affairs signed for the Office. As a contract signatory for the EuroSpikeGmbH were the managing directors Uwe Fahrenholz and Günter Lauer on site.

The supplementary procurement that was commissioned comprised 1,000 guided missiles and 97 weapons systems including accessories. The order volume for these two contracts was around 137 million euros. In order to minimize contractual risks for the contracting authority, specifications were made the contract management manual of BAAINBw included in the contract.

Around 1,500 guided missiles and 16 weapon systems were already on MELLS from previous contracts. The additional MELL systems that had now been ordered should be from the second half of 2018, the majority will be delivered to the infantry. The contractor is the company EuroSpike GmbH from Röthenbach. The system was developed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., which is now jointly with the companies Diehl Defense GmbH & Co. KG and Rheinmetall Defense Electronics GmbH also as Subcontractor is involved in the order.