ADS Gesellschaft für aktive Schutzsysteme mbH was founded in 2006. Its name literally means “limited liability company for active protection systems”.

The purpose of the company is to develop, produce and sell the active protection system AMAP-ADS (ADS stands for “Active Defence System”).

AMAP-ADS is a full-spectrum active defence system which defeats a broad range of existing and future direct fire threats such as RPGs, antitank guided missiles, KE projectiles of all calibres, and explosively formed projectiles.

The system is based on the hard-kill principle, in which incoming projectiles are detected and instantly destroyed by directed energy immediately before reaching their target.

AMAP-ADS provides 360° multi-hit protection from all azimuths, up to and including hemispherical cover.

The low weight of AMAP-ADS also enables efficient protection of light-and medium-weight armour vehicles. Depending on the vehicle type, the system weighs a total of 70-600 kg. It is possible to mount AMAP-ADS in-theatre within two hours.

Although conventional passive armour concepts provide protection, they also restrict mobility. ADS makes it possible to deploy high-mobility vehicles even in extremely hazardous situations, opening up new tactical potential in a large variety of operations.

Essentially an urban warfare system, AMAP-ADS is the only system that can defeat projectiles launched from distances closer than 10-15m. This is achieved by a microsecond system featuring an ultra-short system reaction time.

AMAP-ADS operates with directed energy and fragment-free countermeasures (CM), resulting in extremely low collateral damage. It is the only high-performance close-in defence system that minimizes collateral damage in the vicinity of the vehicle.

Its system architecture is designed to be redundant. The sensors overlap to allow one sensor to take control of a sector if another is already engaged. This, coupled with the directed CM, provides a simultaneous defeat capability.

AMAP-ADS is specifically designed for low power consumption.

ADS belongs to a new generation of standoff active protection technologies. It is one of the world’s most advanced and effective systems for protecting military vehicles of practically every weight class.

ADS Gesellschaft für aktive Schutzsysteme mbH has already been awarded a first serial production order for the new system.