Leonardo and LACROIX sign a cooperation agreement in the naval countermeasures sector

Rome  17 November 2020 11:20

  • The agreement will see the partners integrate Leonardo's MJTE anti-torpedo countermeasures with LACROIX's SYLENA MK2 decoy launching system
  • The SYLENA MK2, which can fire a variety of countermeasures, to protect ships from OPV to large frigates, allows the expansion of MJTE market to reach small and medium-sized of vessels 

 

Leonardo and LACROIX have signed a strategic agreement which will see the partners working together to develop and integrate solutions in the naval countermeasures sector. The collaboration, which will look towards new technologies as well as new business opportunities, initially provides for the creation of the SYLENA Mk2/MJTE solution. This will see LACROIX's SYLENA MK2 DLS (Decoy Launching System) integrated with Leonardo's MJTE (Mobile Jammer Target Emulator) anti-torpedo countermeasures. 
The MJTE is Leonardo's latest-generation torpedo jamming solution. It can emulate the signature and acoustics of its host platform and emit a powerful jamming signal to create convincing false targets, allowing the targeted vessel to perform an effective evasive manoeuvre. Compared to other solutions on the market, the new MJTE packs a number of protective techniques into a low cost unit and performs effectively at short range. 
The MJTE is part of Leonardo's new anti-torpedo suite, which includes the towed Black Snake sonar, the new OTO Decoy Launching System 20 (ODLS20) and the company’s software package which calculates optimum release timing for countermeasures and escape routes for the host vessel. 
The cooperation agreement between Leonardo and LACROIX will expand the accessible market for both the MJTE countermeasure and the SYLENA MK2 launch system. The compact and lightweight form factor of the SYLENA MK2 makes it suitable for small and medium-sized vessels, expanding the potential user base for the MJTE. Meanwhile the cutting-edge new capabilities brought by the MJTE will improve the utility of the SYLENA MK2 system.
Andrea Padella, Head of Defense Systems, Leonardo Electronics said: "This agreement reaffirms Leonardo's ability to interpret, respond to and often anticipate market needs. There is clear synergy in this partnership with LACROIX as together we can offer a sophisticated anti-submarine countermeasure solution, even for platforms with limited space. These require compact and lightweight launch systems which can simultaneously deliver Anti-Air Warfare and Anti-Submarine capabilities".
Leonardo is committed to securing and protecting people and communities around the world through its leadership in next generation technologies. Collaboration within industry, with government and between individuals to offer superior security capabilities is part of its 'Be Tomorrow - Leonardo 2030' strategic plan.
François MOULINIER, COO of LACROIX Defense said: “Following the work we have undertaken with Leonardo to integrate SYLENA within their Athena-C combat management system as part of ongoing contracts, this collaboration is a natural next step in the development of joint solutions. Leonardo is a major player in the European Industrial and Technological Defense Base (BITD) and this partnership proves the maturity of our solutions and the unmatched modularity and versatility of our range of systems.” 
Following its customers’ requests, LACROIX has developed, since 2012, a range of new generation Decoy Launching Systems (DLS) to protect and significantly increase vessel survivability ratio, from patrol boats operating the SYLENA® Lightweight to destroyers operating the SYLENA® MK1 and MK2. SYLENA® launchers are capable of employing the latest generation of SEACLAD® ammunition, corner reflectors and IR decoys as well as ASW solutions with the SEALAT dedicated to the SYLENA® MK2.
The SYLENA® MK2 DLS, which is the first “in-service” static anti-missile system in the world operating both corner reflectors (SEALEM) and anti-torpedo countermeasures, maximizes vessel protection with a highly reliable system at a low operating cost.
The fact that the SYLENA® DLS static launcher fires only mortars without any pneumatic constraints and has a low footprint on deck along with a low recoil force allows for limited acquisition and integration costs. Therefore the system has already convinced numerous navies to either retrofit or fit out their vessels.


About LEONARDO:    
Leonardo, a global high-technology company, is among the top ten world players in Aerospace, Defence and Security and Italy’s main industrial company. Organized into five business divisions, Leonardo has a significant industrial presence in Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland and the USA, where it also operates through subsidiaries such as Leonardo DRS (defense electronics), and joint ventures and partnerships: ATR, MBDA, Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space and Avio. Leonardo competes in the most important international markets by leveraging its areas of technological and product leadership (Helicopters, Aircraft, Aerostructures, Electronics, Cyber Security and Space). Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2019 Leonardo recorded consolidated revenues of €13.8 billion and invested €1.5 billion in Research and Development. The Group has been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) since 2010 and is named as sustainability global leader in the Aerospace & Defence sector for the second year in a row of DJSI in 2020.
Press contacts: Flavia    Negretti - M:    +39 3346378422 - e-mail:   flavia.negretti@leonardo.com

 

About LACROIX Defense:
LACROIX Defense, a company of the French Group, Etienne Lacroix, has been specialized in the design and manufacture of pyrotechnic self-protection systems and training solutions in the aeronautical, land and naval domain for more than 50 years. Since the 80s, the company has been the leading supplier of the French Armed Forces for decoys and has customers around the world. Over 150 ships have been equipped worldwide with its ammunition.
Over the last 15 years, Lacroix has introduced a new generation of decoys and systems to defeat radar, infrared and TV guided threats. LACROIX’s SEACLAD® solutions currently protect over fifty platforms with more than 10.000 ammunition having been delivered.
Success is due to the enhanced effectiveness of the decoy effect, deploying Corner Reflectors which provide advanced RF credibility combined to a specific IR technology having morphological and spectral characteristics with an additional dedicated ammunition.
Press contacts: Eric Mangé - M: +33 679 141 578 - e-mail: eric.mange@etienne-lacroix.com