Login
iscover
MBDA have showcased the full range of capabilities of its fifth-generation MMP (Missile Moyenne Portée) ground combat missile during a live demonstration in Canjuers, France.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
Members of 15 foreign delegations, as well as representatives of the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) were on hand to watch the demonstration, which took place under the supervision of the French Army.
Their were two phases to the demonstration, a dynamic phase in which representatives watched three firings of the missile, and a static phase, based on presentations and workshops making use of standard operational equipment for simulations, training and support.
The dynamic phase showcased the missile's operating modes by confronting it with different scenarios, against fixed and mobile targets at ranges of 2.5-4 kilometres. The MMP struck its targets precisely on all three firings, even when targets where hidden out of sight, highlighting the missile's 'fire and forget' and 'operator in the loop' capabilities.
The ability to engage targets beyond direct line of sight by the use of a network-centric enabled tablet computer, or images relayed by micro-UAVs, was also demonstrated, showing the symbiotic relationship the MMP has with co-ordination systems and field sensors.
MBDA was also able to demonstrate the different configurations of the MMP: a standard firing post fixed on an Arquus Sherpa Special Forces light combat vehicle; with an Impact remote-controlled turret mounted on an Arquus Sherpa armoured vehicle; and with a T40 gun turret mounted on a Nexter VBCI infantry fighting vehicle.
Previous campaigns carried out by the French Army have demonstrated the MMP is suitable for use in a desert environment, and green lit its deployment in the Sahel-Saharan strip.
The MMP program includes provision of 400 firing posts and 1,950 missiles across all branches of the French Armed Forces by 2025.
With more than 90 armed force customers around the world, MBDA offers a range of 45 missile systems and countermeasures that are already in service, and more than 15 others in development.
