MBDA, In line with its development work on MILAN ADT- ER, MBDA has successfully conducted a series of three test firings, further demonstrating the reliability of the new technologies integrated within this new weapon system. The tests involved the new ADT (ADvanced Technologies) firing post, manufactured by MBDA Deutschland/LFK, and the new ER (Extended Response) missile, produced by MBDA France.
The tests, successfully carried out at the DGA’s ETBS (Etablissement d’Expérimentation Technique de Bourges) test site in central France, served to prove certain features of the system, namely operator safety as well as effectiveness over minimum and maximum operating ranges against stationary and moving targets.
The first test served to verify arming distance. Following a strike at a short range of 40 metres, the warhead did not detonate, demonstrating system safety and thereforethe benefits to the operator in such an event.
A second test demonstrated the missile's accuracy over the minimum engagement range of 150 metres. The front and main charges were both triggered with the correct lag time between the two events.
With the third test, the objective was to demonstrate system performance against a moving target at the maximum range of 3,000 metres. The missile followed perfectly the sight line which was slaved to the target.
MBDA Deutschland/LFK is responsible for the manufacture of the firing post whilst MBDA France is responsible for the production of the missile. Of important note is that the French DGA has acknowledged these successful test firings as part of the French evaluation process of this new weapon system. These tests constituted the final industrial firings prior to evaluation trials which will be carried out by the relevant state authorities.
“These successful industrial trials confirm the high level of reliability of the MILAN ADT-ER guided missile system. We are proud to offer our customers such a powerful system that can be deployed with such precision against a wide range of targets”, said Werner Kaltenegger, Managing Director of MBDA Deutschland/LFK and head of the multinational MILAN ADT-ER programme within MBDA.
Background Information
The MILAN ADT (ADvanced Technologies) firing post is robust, easy to use, extremely powerful and accurate. It is intended for both dismounted and mounted combat troops. Fully digitised, this new firing post offers the latest levels of performance in the field of Detection, Recognition and Identification (DRI).
A large number of new functions have been introduced such as training based on enriched reality and a new maintenance concept. The new firing post is equally compatible with all earlier generations of MILAN missile.
The new MILAN ER (Extended Response) missile has an increased range of 3,000 metres. Equipped with a new warhead, the missile does not trigger explosive -reactive armour but instead pierces it thereby creating a passage for the main charge. This main charge is capable of piercing more than 1,000 mm of armoured steel.
Deployed throughout the world, powerful and accurate, reliable and easy to operate, the MILAN weapon system is in service in 44 countries. Total sales amount to 10,000 firing posts and 360,000 missiles. More than 10,000 operational firings have been carried out with a successful strike rate of 95%.
With an annual turnover of EUR 3 billion, a forward order book of over EUR 13 billion and over 70 customers worldwide, MBDA is a world leading, global missile systems company. MBDA currently has 45 missile system and countermeasure programmes in operational service and has proven its ability as prime contractor to head major multi-national projects.
MBDA is jointly owned by BAE Systems (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and Finmeccanica (25%).
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