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• Rheinmetall Defence Australia and Supashock have teamed to develop a world-first sea mine rail deployment system (MRDS)
• MRDS allows the storage and deployment of sea mines by international navies
• Rack remains fixed to the ship
• Both enterprises have a long association with military land vehicles

Rheinmetall Defence Australia, a key strategic industrial partner to the Australian Defence Force, has teamed up with Adelaide-based technology company Supashock, to develop a world-first sea mine rail deployment system.

Nathan Poyner, Managing Director, Rheinmetall Defence Australia, said that the two businesses had a long association with military land vehicles and had again collaborated on a solution known as Mine Rail Deployment System (MRDS).

“The MRDS was developed to allow for the storage and deployment of sea mines by international navies.

“In a world-first, the design means that the rack remains fixed to the ship and the deployment appliance basket is not discarded into the ocean as is the current model.

“The MRDS will be future-ready to integrate automation, further increasing ondeck operational efficiency,” Mr Poyner said.

Oscar Fiorinotto, Managing Director of Supashock, said the MRDS would be designed, tested and manufactured at the organisation’s Holden Hill facility in suburban Adelaide.

“Supashock is a global designer and manufacturer of advanced products for defence, heavy vehicles and automotive OEMs.

“I’m delighted to be working with our partners at Rheinmetall Defence Australia to achieve this outstanding result that will improve the deployment of sea mines, worldwide. We are excited for future collaboration between all parties, including the Commonwealth, to further test this Australian technology.” Mr Fiorinotto added.

The MRDS revolutionises payload deployment, reducing deck footprint, and increasing payload replenishment efficiency. The system is scalable and can be adapted to suit a range of different seacraft.

The MRDS also offers enhanced safety features such as jettison capability, improved ergonomics and a weather shelter that protects crew and disguises deck activity during transport or operations.