Canada’s (canceled in 2006) Multi-Mission Effects Vehicle (MMEV) was ahead of its time. This mature and tested system just requires a buyer. Now the west is scrambling to build such a system. The urgent need is, drones are everywhere and now they are armed. Oerlikon Contraves Inc. in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Canada, owns the ADATS technology, which the MMEV are built on. Designed to take out attack helicopters at 20+ km and land based targets at up to 8km. The only problem was the multi-mission requirement which was poorly defined. Very little would need to change to make this a true drone killer. Its radar system is far superior and the missiles are far cheaper to the IM-SHORAD Stryker system being rushed into service by the Americans.
MMEV was mounted on the LAV III and was developed to support the ground troops in the field against attack helicopters/ low flying winged vehicles and armoured ground forces.
- Full ISTAR system including Link 11/16 to communicate with NATO
- 3D radar for non line of site missile guidance using a drone.
- Low cost missiles
- Advanced Battle Management Command and Control
History of the MMEV
Air Defense Anti Tank System (ADATS) A total of 36 systems were delivered to Canadian forces by 1994. The United States tested the unit on their Bradley chassis with a 25mm autocannon, but lost interest in it with the end of the cold war.
ADATS were built in Canada on the M113 tracked APC. The first units were deployed to Germany as part of Canada’s NATO contribution. In 2011 they were retired from service.
In 2005 Canada went to Oerlikon Contraves Inc. with $100 million for R&D for ADATS to be put on the LAV III and to call it the Multi-Mission-Effects Vehicle (MMEV). After the successful completion of the first phase, the project was cancelled due to Harper’s government financial cutbacks.
Since 2012 Canada has had no ground to air capability except naval. This includes shoulder launched or anything else. On any deployment Canada has to be paired like a little brother to someone else’s ground to air defense umbrella. I know of no other country that is in this position. Canada, I cry for thee.
image sources
- Multi-Mission_Effects_Vehicle: Jimderkaisser | Public Domain