MBDA’S VIPER STRIKE MUNITION SCORES DIRECT HITS AGAINST HIGH SPEED TARGETS

MBDA Incorporated’s GBU-44/E Viper Strike munition launched from a Cessna Caravan test aircraft scored direct hits against high speed vehicles in a recent two-day test.  During aU.S.government sponsored test at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, Viper Strike successfully hit eight vehicles travelling at extremely high speeds in varying realistic scenarios. 

“This proven high speed target attack capability is a game changer for warfighters that need to hit very fast vehicles with great precision and from any direction of attack” said Tom Bien, Viper Strike’s Program Manager. Viper Strike has been used in combat by both manned and unmanned aircraft, and will deploy next on the U.S. Marine Corps’ KC-130J Harvest HAWK aircraft.  Viper Strike is launched from a common launch tube that can be carried either internally or externally from the host aircraft, helicopter or UAV.

Viper Strike is a glide munition capable of precisely hitting targets from extended stand-off ranges using GPS-aided navigation and an end-game, semi-active laser seeker.  Its small, 44-lb. highly agile airframe and quiet attack profile provides a covert launch and low collateral damage effects against stationary and high speed moving targets.  Using Viper Strike’s new fast-attack software, the weapon has proven that it can be quickly employed against moving targets by both air-designated and ground-designated targets. 

Viper Strike is in production at MBDA Incorporated’s Huntsville,Alabama facility. Jerry Agee, President and CEO of MBDA Incorporated said, “Viper Strike is performing exceptionally well in test and combat environments.  We’re pleased to get this weapon in the hands of our warfighters to aid them against their most challenging, high-speed targets.”

Airbus Military C295 MPA carries MBDA MARTE MK2/S Anti-ship Missile for first time

Airbus Military and MBDA have successfully completed the first flight of the C295 maritime patrol aircraft with an instrumented Marte MK2/S anti-ship inert missile installed under the wing. The flight was the first of a series of trials planned in a joint Airbus Military – MBDA collaboration to validate the aerodynamic integration of Marte on the C295. Subsequent flights will include handling qualities testsand aircraft flight performance tests.

This initiative successfully aligns with the Defence industry strategy shared by MBDA in Spain and Airbus Military. 

Airbus Military and MBDA have successfully completed the first flight of the C295 maritime patrol aircraft with an instrumented Marte MK2/S anti-ship inert missile installed under the wing. The flight was the first of a series of trials planned in a joint Airbus Military – MBDA collaboration to validate the aerodynamic integration of Marte on the C295. Subsequent flights will include handling qualities testsand aircraft flight performance tests.

                         

The MBDA Marte MK2/S missile is a fire-and-forget, all-weather, medium-range sea-skimming anti-ship weapon system, equipped with inertial mid-course guidance and radar homing terminal guidance, and capable of destroying small vessels and heavily damaging major vessels. The missile has a weight of 310 Kg and is 3.85 m long.

In the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role, the C295 is already in-service carrying the MK42 torpedo.

The Marte Mk2/S is already integrated on the AW-101 and the NFH-90 naval helicopters.

MBDA sharpens Spear missile design for F-35 integration

European manufacturer MBDA has unveiled a UK-developed design for a next-generation air-to-surface weapon suitable for internal carriage by the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

 To be shown for the first time as a full-scale mock-up at the Farnborough air show, the Spear concept would use a turbojet engine and a wing kit to provide a stand-off range of about 100km (54nm). "Speed and range are the two main drivers" behind this configuration, says Rob Thornley, export working group leader for MBDA UK.

"Another key requirement is to provide multiple load-out on the F-35," says Thornley. The company expects to be able to fit up to four Spear weapons and one Meteor beyond visual-range air-to-air missile in each of the F-35's two weapons bays.

Firm decisions have yet to be made on the final Spear configuration, but MBDA says it will be about 2m (6.5ft) long, carry a multi-effect warhead and use a multimode seeker. The high subsonic-speed weapon will also feature INS/GPS guidance, and be able to receive mid-course updates via an onboard datalink.

The basis of the concept is now in an assessment phase study for the UK Ministry of Defence's Spear Capability 3 requirement. This activity is due to conclude in 2014 with an airframe and propulsion system demonstration using a representative weapon design.

"We are on track, and continue to mature the technologies," says business executive Adrian Monks. However, MBDA acknowledges that the UK's recent decision to revert to the short take-off and vertical landing F-35B "brings some challenges", as the type's weapons bays are shorter than those found on the carrier variant F-35C previously favoured by London.

MBDA plans to contract a European supplier to develop a new, lightweight, two-round rail launcher for the Spear missile, and says it has also identified a number of potential engine suppliers.

Beyond its application for internal carriage by the stealthy F-35, MBDA has also released artwork depicting a multi-role-configured Eurofighter Typhoon carrying 16 of the missiles.

Meanwhile, the company will also detail its self-funded trials work into a new target application for the UK's current dual mode seeker-equipped Brimstone air-to-surface missile at the show on 10 July.

 Fired during the Afghanistan and Libya conflicts from Royal Air Force Panavia Tornado GR4 strike aircraft, an enhanced version of the weapon is to meet the UK's Spear Capability 2 Block 1 requirements from next year.

MBDA completes Meteor test campaign, launches production

MBDA is satisfied with the results of its recently-completed live firing campaign with the Meteor beyond visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), and will deliver its first production rounds before year-end, says Andy Bradford, the company's chief engineer and head of the project.

Three electronic protection measures firings conducted at the Aberporth test range off the west Wales coast earlier this year from Panavia Tornado F2 trials aircraft resulted in direct hits on Selex Galileo Mirach target drones, Bradford says, despite their use of jamming equipment and chaff.

In all, 21 Meteor missiles fitted with telemetry equipment were fired during a development and test campaign conducted for lead customer the UK and its partner nations France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden.

"The firing campaign has given us very good results, and good performance," Bradford said at MBDA's Stevenage site in Hertfordshire on 26 June. "Meteor does what it is meant to do."

MBDA will deliver a final performance statement to the Meteor integrated joint project office within the next month, with Bradford saying the design is compliant with its lethality and kinematic performance requirements. It is expected to receive final acceptance later this year, before production deliveries commence in the fourth quarter to the UK.

The company has already delivered six ground handling training missiles to the programme, and forebodies for the first production weapons are now in build at its Lostock site in Lancashire. Final assembly work will be completed in Stevenage on a line capable of completing up to 20 per month.

All of the Meteor partner nations have now signed production contracts, with the exception of Germany. However, Bradford says "discussions are very advanced, and we expect to be on contract late this year." MBDA is also receiving significant interest in the design from potential export customers, he adds.

The BVRAAM weapon is likely to enter operational use with Swedish air force Saab Gripens in 2014-2015, UK Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons in 2015-2016 and French air force and navy Dassault Rafale fighters from 2018.