| ENFORCER | |
| Origin: | Germany |
| Type: | Light portable anti-armour missile |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Is Explosive: | yes |
| Is Missile: | yes |
| Service: | From late 2024 |
| Used By: | See operators |
| Designer: |
|
| Design Date: | 2010 – 2023 |
| Manufacturer: | MBDA Deutschland GmbH |
| Production Date: | Since 2023 (serial production) |
| Weight: | 7kg (15lb) (missile), < 12kg (26lb) (Dynahawk sight, missile and tube) |
| Length: | 1m (03feet) |
| Width: | 110mm (tube) |
| Height: | 110mm (tube) |
| Diameter: | 90mm (missile) |
| Range: | 2km (01miles) [1] |
| Filling: | EFP, Multi-effect warhead with multimode fuse, airbust capable |
| Guidance: | Infrared homing and television guidance[2] |
| Launch Platform: |
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The Enforcer from the European manufacturer MBDA Deutschland is a modern infantry weapon for use against lightly armoured and unarmoured vehicles and stationary targets at a distance over 2000m (7,000feet). It is a fire-and-forget weapon with a lock on before launch function and the possibility of night battle.
New variants of the missile are being developed as of 2024.
In 2010, MBDA launched a new serie of programmes named Concept Visions intending to develop a wide range of future missiles. The first programme of the Concept Visions was named Infantry Weapon System Concept (IWSC), or CVS101, which became later on the Enforcer missile. This programme was first presented by MBDA in 2010 at the Farnborough International Airshow.[3] [4] [5]
The intention with the IWSC was to develop the next-generation support weapons for dismounted soldiers. The main goal was to develop a light weapon able to precisely treat targets in complex and urban environments, with a high range while limiting the collateral damages. MBDA considered that the existing weapons were either too heavy, had too much power (NLAW, Spike, MILAN, Javelin), or lacked precision and range (M72 LAW, RGW 90). Two missiles were planned at that time, the Sniper and the Enforcer.
The specifications planned for with the Combat Vision programme are the following (with the expected specifications back then):[6]
| Parameters | SniperMissiles for soft targets | EnforcerMissile for anti-armoured vehicles, bunkers and buildings | |
| Missile characteristics | |||
| Mass | 0.9kg (02lb) | 4.5kg (09.9lb) | |
| Length | 380mm | 680mm | |
| Diameter | 40mm | 80mm | |
| Warhead | 200gr | 1kg (02lb)(multi-effect warhead) | |
| Performances | |||
| Minimum firing range | 30m (100feet) | – | |
| Direct-attack range | 1500m (4,900feet) | 2500m (8,200feet) | |
| Ballistic range | – | 5500m (18,000feet) | |
| Expected launchers | |||
| Shoulder launcher | 2kg (04lb) | 3kg (07lb) | |
| Other launchers | attached to an assault rifle | military base protection modules | |
| mounted on a vehicle | |||
| Expected technologies | |||
| Targeting | – | Geo-located targets without GPS | |
| NLOS target engagement (none line of sight) | |||
| Re-targeting capability | |||
| Trajectories | – | steep ballistic(optimised for urban or woodland operations) | |
Only the Enforcer missile ended up being developed by MBDA Deutschland, and its specifications were adapted.[7] From the Enforcer missile, other variants are being developed as of 2024.
The development of the missile and the launcher was launched in July 2011, and was fully self-financed by the MBDA group. MBDA Deutschland was designated as the leader for the programme, and the MBDA France, MBDA UK and MBDA Italy participated in the development with their respective competences.[8]
At the beginning of its development, the goals set for the missile were the following:
In order to reduce the risk and to provide a cost-effective solutions, known technologies and components were planned to be reused for the Enforcer missiles.
In 2012 and 2013, demonstrators were tested in cooperation with the in Meppen. MBDA took a cautious approach with a de-risking strategy by testing the parts at each step of their development to ensure that they were effective, and then combined those.
In 2012 and 2013, the first prototypes of the missile body were produced and six successful flight tests took place.
Based on the success of the demonstration phase, MBDA launched the development of the prototype.
In December 2016, MBDA shared updates on the trial of the Enforcer, and they announced having hit accurately targets multiple times. The trials took place at the test center in November 2016. The static targets were aimed at from a distance ranging from NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet).[9] In November 2017, MBDA announced having performed successful trials against moving targets.[10]
Since 19, new variants of the missile have been offered to the market. The detail of the variants is mentioned at the following section.
In 2023, the MBDA Deutschland facility in Schrobenhausen launched the production of a pilot batch.[11] From this batch trials of the missile took place, especially environmental testing to ensure that the missile in its production phase will be able to perform in the condition pre-defined. This includes testing at certain temperature ranges, varying levels of vibrations, humidity.
As part of that phase, the EMC Laboratory (EMV Labor) of MBDA Deutschland performs electromagnetic compatibility tests. The aim is to verify if the electronic components work properly. This preventive testing verifies the insensitivity to electromagnetic interference and the reliable operation in the electromagnetic environment.[12]
After the pilot batch, the assembly line was made ready. After assessment of the initial production, the German Armed Forces approved the launch of the large scale serial production at the end of 2023.[13] [14] The parts are being supplied by other MBDA subsidiaries around Europe.[15]
In March 2024, the Enforcer Production Increase Campaign (EPIC) was put forward to the European Commission. The commission launched a funding support for the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) programme. The aid for the Enforcer programme reaches €10 million, and will be supplied to MBDA Deutschland and two of its subsidiaries, Bayern-Chemie Deutschland, and TDW Deutschland.[16]
Eventually, the goal is to reach a four-digit yearly production capacity.[17]
The base variant programme was launched in July 2011, the production started in 2023, and it is planned to enter service in the German Army in 2024. This missile is a shoulder launched anti-armour missile.
MBDA developed a launcher concept for the Enforcer missile. This launcher is designed to be mounted on light vehicles, likely for special forces missions. It is equipped with 2 missiles and passive sensors. The launcher concept was presented at Enforce TAC 2022, on an ENOK vehicle designed by ACS, based on the G464 G-Class.[18] [19]
MBDA Deutschland is developing several variants of the Enforcer designed for land, air, sea and anti-air applications, but those systems plan to adapt on the existing variants in order to limit the development cost and to reach a cost-effective family solution.[20]
MBDA Deutschland unveiled a concept of an air-launched variant of the Enforcer missile in November 2019 at the Berlin Security Conference. This would be used in a similar way as the MBDA Brimstone missile, but smaller and cheaper.[21]
As of 2019, MBDA announced that MBDA was waiting for a launch customer to integrate the Enforcer Air missile to the intended platform. Depending on the platform, the launch system can be drop-launched, tube-launched and rail launched. The potential applications for this missile are:
A variant of its potential use on a UAV was presented by XMobots, a Brazilian UAS company at the LAAD exhibition in April 2023 in Rio de Janeiro. The drone shown with the missile is the Nauru 1000C.[22]
As of November 2023, MBDA mentions having already performed flight trials of this variant.[23]
The Enforcer X is a dedicated anti-tank variant of the Enforcer platform. As of March 2023 at SOFINS 2023, MBDA announced that this variant is under development.[24] It is designed to be a shoulder fired ATGM.
The warhead will be supplied by TDW. It will feature a tandem shaped charge designed to penetrate the tank armour behind explosive reactive armour. And it will have two attack modes, a direct attack capability, and top attack. The range is expected to remain at 2km (01miles) just like the base variants of the Enforcer.
A short range anti-air variant of the Enforcer missile known as the SADM (Small Anti Drone Missile). Its main design feature is to combat drones, but could also be used against light aerial targets. A first concept of what that system could be was presented at the ILA Berlin Air Show 2022. With this missiles, MBDA says that it plans to combat Class 1 UAS, UAV under 150kg (330lb).
The main differences to the base variant of the Enforcer are:[25]
The proposed applications for the missile as of 2024 are:
| Parameters | Enforcer[28] [29] | Enforcer X[30] | Enforcer SADM | Enforcer Air | |
| Missile characteristics | |||||
| Diameter | 90mm | – | – | – | |
| Length | < 1m (03feet) | – | – | – | |
| Mass missile | < 7kg (15lb) | – | – | – | |
| Mass missile with tube | < 9kg (20lb) | – | – | – | |
| Mass with sight | < 12kg (26lb) | – | – | – | |
| Temperature range | NaNC | ||||
| Performances | |||||
| Minimum firing distance | 100m (300feet) | – | – | – | |
| Maximum range | > 2km (01miles) | > 2km (01miles) | NaNkm (-2,147,483,648miles) | – | |
| Seeker | |||||
| Seeker type | IR and camera to be selected prior to launch | IR and camera to be selected prior to launch | adapted seeker | IR and camera to be selected prior to launch | |
| Missile launch | |||||
| Launch | LOBL (lock-on before launch) /launch from enclosed space | – | – | – | |
| Launcher types | shoulder-fire tube | shoulder-fire tube | 9×9 launcher on vehicle | drop-launched /tube-launched / rail launched | |
| Fire control system | Hensoldt Dynahawk /Aimpoint FCS 14 | – | – | – | |
| Warhead | |||||
| Warhead type | multi-effect EFP (explosively-formed penetrator) | tandem shaped charge | Adapted EFP with more fragments | multi-effect EFP (explosively-formed penetrator) | |
| Warhead mass | – | – | – | – | |
| Fuse | multi-mode fuse (point detonation, impact-delayed or air-burst) | direct impact only | – | multi-mode fuse (point detonation, impact-delayed or air-burst) | |
The Enforcer system can be divided in three main parts, the missile itself, and all its components the launching tube and the fire control sight.
The Enforcer missile is a fire-and-forget system, with lock-on before launch capability and it can be launched from an enclosed space.
For the operator, he is transporting a fire control sight and one or more missiles in their launching tube. In order to use the missile, the operator connects the sight to the missile, a mechanical and an electronic connection is made. The operator looks at the target through the sight, uses the laser range finder. Depending on the weather conditions which affect the propellant, the distance and the altitude difference, the missile determines if the target can be reached. The operator selects the sensor to be used by the missile (day or night), informs the missile if the target is in movement, and selects the effect of the missile. Once locked on the target, the operator can squeeze the trigger.
According to the information supplied by MBDA Deutschland, the base structure of the missile is as following (front to back):[31]
Details about each part of the missile design and production are given in the next subsections.
There are two sensors available, an infrared sensor (used at night, and in some weather / smoke conditions) and a day sensor which is a camera. The operator acquires the target with the fire control system, and when the missile is launched, the missile the system correlates the contrast of the image acquired to what it sees at a rate of 25 frames per second. The tracker can therefore guide the missile towards the target even if the light conditions change, or if the target moves up to 50km/h.[32] [33]
Behind the seeker, there is the weapon calculator. The calculator has several roles, among which, it communicates with the fire-control system prior to launch, it registers the information about the target and its distance, it defines and corrects the flight path towards the target, and it performs the attack according to the mode selected by the operator.
TDW GmbH, a subsidiary of MBDA Deutschland, is the designer and supplier of the warhead, its safety, and its arming unit.
The main features of the warhead is its multi-effect capability, with multi-mode fuse. The warhead is made of a forward-facing EFP (explosively formed penetrator) to treat light armoured vehicles, and a radial array of preformed fragments enabling to treat an area from dismounted soldiers.[30]
The fuse modes available that the shooters selects prior to the launch depending on the target and the desired effect are:
One major safety aspect of the warhead design is that the explosive is insensitive. If the missile is caught in a fire or shot at, it will not detonate. This is thanks to the chemical composition of the explosive. The explosive mixture is prepared in a liquid form, after which it will be poured to take the desired shape within the warhead through a secret process.
The propulsion system is designed and produced by Bayern-Chemie, also a subsidiary of MBDA Deutschland.
The missile has two engines:
The propellants used for the missile are insensitive, they will not explode or cook-off if a fire, an explosion or a projectile hit it. The propellant in use is a double-base fuel, and needs to operate in a temperature ranging from NaNC. There is a sensor that monitors the temperature of the propellant. This sensor is one of the sensor that adapts the range capability of the missile in the existing conditions.
Four plastic wings are surrounding the missile at its center of mass.
Behind the wings, there is a rudder control system which guides the missile. The fins deploy mechanically once the missile is ejected from the tube. The actuators are located between the primary engine and the flight engine.
MBDA Italy developed the lightweight carbon-fibre launching tube for the missile. It is a single-use tube.[34] [35]
The trigger that gets connected to the launching tube is assembled by MBDA Deutschland. The design of the trigger ensures that the missile is not a dud in case of a malfunction of the trigger.
The assembly takes place in Germany, and is made by MBDA Deutschland.
For the missile itself, the he seeker and the calculator are assembled together. Separately, the engine and the flight control systems and surfaces are assembled together. Once both sides are done, the warhead will be added in between. The warhead and the fuse system arrive pre-assembled,
The rear part of the assembly, the propulsion is manufactured in an aluminium casing. Once the front part is connected to the rear part and the warhead is connected, a cylindrical aluminium casing will surround the front part of the missile. And unlike traditional manufacturing methods that would screw or rivet the casing of the front to the rear, it is welded in an automatic laser welding machine, which is an innovation from MBDA.
At each step of the assembly process of the missile, measurements and tests are performed to ensure that the tolerances are respected, and that the electronic systems work as intended, and all the results are documented.
Once the missile succeeds all the required tests, it is integrated to the launching tube which integrates the trigger as well. The last step prior to the delivery of the missile is an environmental test which will put the missile in harsh environments, and all the systems are being tested to ensure the quality of the ammunition.
As of 2024, two options exist for the fire control system of the Enforcer missile.
The two first clients of the Enforcer made the decision to order this fire control sight. It has a mass of 2.2kg (04.9lb) for the optics only.
This Dynahawk has a 5.5 × glass optical magnification, and it has a laser range finder. It is also equipped with a ballistics computer connected to sensors for measuring the temperature, the air pressure and he angular rate. There are modes to engage static targets, and targets in movement. It has also the capability to recognise to which weapon system it is connected (RGW 90 or Enforcer missile). The fire control system also enables to select whether it will be used for direct attack, or air-burst mode. The air-burst mode has a very high accuracy with this system.[36]
An alternative to the Dynahawk is the multi-function fire control sight Fire Control Sight 14 from Aimpoint. It has a mass of 1.5kg (03.3lb) with its optics only, and 2kg (04lb) with thermal imaging.
The basic variant of the FCS 14 has an optical channel to aim at the target. The other elements include a laser rangefinder, sensors to assess the position and inclination of the weapon, a gyroscope, a GNSS receiver and a compass. It is also able to communicate with the weapon. It can access to the temperature of the propellant in order to compensate the flight trajectory, and also to use the programmable capacity of the missile (direct hit or air-burst) and the location at which it ignites.[37] If equipped with thermal imaging, it can be used by the operator.
For the optical sensor, there is no magnification, and the field of view is 12° horizontally, and 16° vertically. The laser range finder has a range of 4km (02miles), and it has a wavelength of 1,550 nm meaning it is a Class 1 eye-safe laser.[30]
This alternative to the Dynahawk should bring additional export opportunities for multiple reasons. Its lower price makes it more affordable. It is ITAR free, which means that the US can't block its export. Aimpoint is a Swedish company, and it uses European components for the system. The Aimpoint FCS 14 is also being used with shoulder fired weapons, with grenade launchers and with heavy machine guns (12.7×99 mm NATO).
The German Army uses shooting simulators, those are known as the AGSHP ("Ausbildungsgeräte Schießsimulator Handwaffen/Panzerabwehrhandwaffen") which means "training equipment for shooting simulators for small arms/anti-tank small arms". By 2025, Thales Deutschland will modernise the 180 stationary AGSHP and the 4 mobile ones that are in service for the German Army. The Enforcer missile will be added to the system.[38] [39] [40]
Germany (850 ordered + 2,237 in option)
Australia