Air Defense Anti-Tank System (ADATS)

[TomS]

It's interesting that Longbow Hellfire is being rolled into IM-SHORADS as an anti-aircraft weapon against helicopters and some fixed-wing aircraft, not just a secondary anti-armor capability. It's not fast like ADATS, but fast enough to be useful at least. JAGM may also pick up the same role.

Lockheed may repurpose its Joint Air-to-Ground Missile for air defense

The Joint Air-to-Ground Missile could be the next interceptor for the U.S. Army's European-deployed Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense capability, according to the U.S. defense giant.

www.defensenews.com

IN an interesting update, it looks like Hellfire is being dropped from the MSHORAD vehicle in favor of a second Stinger pod. Seems Hellfire is too big to easily manhandle onto the vehicle.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1802299036684132600

View: https://x.com/AirPowerNEW1/status/1802299036684132600

https://twitter.com/x/status/1802837244212056258

View: https://x.com/AirPowerNEW1/status/1802837244212056258

 

[CuteTransAngel]

Yes, this would have covered the dead zone of the ADATS

how many rounds were carried for the 25mm?

 

[Scott Kenny]

how many rounds were carried for the 25mm?

~200 rounds ready. Basically the same as a Bradley.

 

[NMaude]

Will dig up my photos, the warhead is a thing of beauty

Have you found those photographs?

 

[iwantmoresources]

Could an ADATS launcher have taken the place of the TOW on a standard Bradley?

 

[DWG]

Could an ADATS launcher have taken the place of the TOW on a standard Bradley?

The ADATS missile is c50kg, the TOW c20kg. ADATs is also significantly longer. You could probably fit it if you didn't mind the amount of changes, but then you'd need compatible guidance (ADATS is a laser beam rider), and it would be no use for air defence without radar. So all you're getting is a more expensive ATGM with no better penetration than a BGM-71D, and a longer range that probably isn't usable. If you want a better ATGM on the Bradley, fit Hellfire.

 

[iwantmoresources]

The ADATS missile is c50kg, the TOW c20kg. ADATs is also significantly longer. You could probably fit it if you didn't mind the amount of changes, but then you'd need compatible guidance (ADATS is a laser beam rider), and it would be no use for air defence without radar. So all you're getting is a more expensive ATGM with no better penetration than a BGM-71D, and a longer range that probably isn't usable. If you want a better ATGM on the Bradley, fit Hellfire.

I see. It would be better to keep both of these missiles in their respective role(s).

 

[MissileMan]

Have you found those photographs?

Yes I have

 

[tanker fan]

ADATs would be very helpful for the Ukrainian military, longer range than Starstreak, multi-purpose warhead. It could help keep the Ka-52 more honest.

The US military - with its practical absence of any SHORAD whatsoever - would be wise to look at resurrecting the program.

Yeah with no air to air capacity or capability besides stationary patriot systems I do think it's a good idea to resurrect it obviously with modern equipment and electronics but we need a mobile air defense that can run around with armored units like it's plan was in desert storm

 

[NMaude]

@MissileMan, in the second, third and fourth photographs is that a Maverick seeker-head next to the warhead?

 

[Scott Kenny]

Yeah with no air to air capacity or capability besides stationary patriot systems I do think it's a good idea to resurrect it obviously with modern equipment and electronics but we need a mobile air defense that can run around with armored units like it's plan was in desert storm

That's basically what MSHORAD is. A mix of weapons that are all capable of air defense within 5-10km or so.

 

[MissileMan]

@MissileMan, in the second, third and fourth photographs is that a Maverick seeker-head next to the warhead?

Yep, I'm gonna get around to buying it in the next year lol

 

[NMaude]

Yep, I'm gonna get around to buying it in the next year lol

Is it the seeker-head from an AGM-65A?

 

[srx00000]

Does anyone know what this is? It looks like an ADATS electro optical sensor.

 

[Yellow Palace]

Does anyone know what this is? It looks like an ADATS electro optical sensor.

Leopard 2 hull with ADATS. The caption you've cut off says as much. Discussed briefly here.

 

[srx00000]

Leopard 2 hull with ADATS. The caption you've cut off says as much. Discussed briefly here.

Thank you!

 

[yeetmahboi]

one thing I don’t understand is how come ADATS has such awesome range for its size?. I mean it is roughly the size of AGM-114, yet can reach around the same range while moving more than double the speed of AGM-114. How come ?

Hellfire went all the way back to the Cheyenne era (ATGAR) and was conceived in the second half of the 70s. ADATS was a whole decade newer, and that means better energetics and more efficient internal packaging. ADATS OML was also far more suitable for its role (sharp nose, streamlined tube). Hellfire barely has any wing lift.

 

[iwantmoresources]

Hellfire went all the way back to the Cheyenne era (ATGAR) and was conceived in the second half of the 70s. ADATS was a whole decade newer, and that means better energetics and more efficient internal packaging. ADATS OML was also far more suitable for its role (sharp nose, streamlined tube). Hellfire barely has any wing lift.

ADATS also has an 8 inch diameter and uses more energetic low smoke/smokeless propellant.

 

[Justin]

Honestly with the way lasers are advancing...

I wonder if you make a duel mode one.

A low power set for guiding missiles. Or rockets using the Laser guide hydra deals, likely can put a quad rocket pod for every Adats tube.

Anyways the laser designator could also have a high power mode for burning things.

Add in the 30mm M230 Chain gun with Proxy fuse shells.

Be a scary set up.

They actually could support a 7 round hydra pod in the space of each missile canister and was proposed as part of the Canadian MMEV that never happened of course though

 

[Colonial-Marine]

They actually could support a 7 round hydra pod in the space of each missile canister and was proposed as part of the Canadian MMEV that never happened of course though

Considering how much more important SHORAD is because of drones I'd expect (or hope) laser-guided 70mm rockets are being looked at for integration onto Sergeant Stout (formerly Stryker IM-SHORAD). The ADATS missile would be a good option to have for that vehicle as well for use against higher performance targets, but after the Canadians lost interest in the MMEV LAV I imagine any production line is long gone and would need to be reestablished.

I don't know if ADATS would be right for the role today, but the US (and others) still need something between Stinger (and its replacement) and the bigger SAMs like Patriot, etc.

 

[apparition13]

I don't know if ADATS would be right for the role today, but the US (and others) still need something between Stinger (and its replacement) and the bigger SAMs like Patriot, etc.

NASAMS, CAMM, Crotale, SPYDER, there are options.

I'm a fan of ADATS and would like to see what a modernized ADATS could do, especially in the AGDS turret that has guns, but that's a lost opportunity.

 

[Scott Kenny]

I don't know if ADATS would be right for the role today, but the US (and others) still need something between Stinger (and its replacement) and the bigger SAMs like Patriot, etc.

Crotale has the advantage of having a hot production line. Might need a new warhead to be as equally effective on both air and ground targets, though. HEAT with a fragmentation sleeve, and maybe a load of buckshot in the mouth of the shaped charge.

And in general I think that any army ATGM needs to be fast enough to play SHORAD as well.