At the DSEI 2025 exhibition in London, Rheinmetall unveiled the new generation of its naval protection system, MASS nova.
In an interview with defensehere.com, Jan Weinbeer, Vice President and Head of Product Management at Rheinmetall, provided details on the system’s main features and capabilities.
MASS nova builds on the company’s long-standing Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS), which has been in service with various naval forces worldwide. The updated version features a newly developed launcher with a variable fan angle and expanded capacity for 81 mm Omni-Trap ammunition. It can deploy up to 44 decoys and fire at a faster rate, providing quicker responses against incoming threats.
A significant innovation is the addition of the 3DDS (3D Decoy Swarm) technology. MASS nova can launch a swarm of drones that create a three-dimensional radar signature, imitating ship-like movements independent of weather or sea conditions. These drones can detach from the vessel, operating autonomously to confuse and divert enemy systems.
The launcher is also capable of deploying longer 81 mm ammunition with larger payloads or mixed payload combinations, offering greater flexibility and range. The variable fan pattern allows more precise countermeasure placement and dense screening at different distances.
Designed for use on ships of all sizes, MASS nova can be integrated into existing command and weapon systems with minimal effort or used as a stand-alone solution. Rheinmetall presented the system to the public for the first time on September 9, 2025, displaying a functional launcher and models of the drone swarm at its booth.
Discover more in the full interview below:
