MBDA arrows in on Missile Moyenne Portée qualification

[Zarvan]

General arrangement cutaway drawing of the MBDA MMP, which has a tandem HEAT warhead to neutralise targets fitted with ERA and also has a fragmentation effect. Source: MBDA
A senior MBDA official has confirmed that the Missile Moyenne Portée (MMP or Medium Range Missile) will complete its formal qualification trials towards the end of 2016.

Speaking at a recent Direction general de l'armament (DGA) briefing in Bourges, France, the spokesperson also confirmed that the tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead will penetrate at least 1,000 mm of steel armour protected by explosive reactive armour (ERA) and also has a fragmentation effect.

The warhead and propellant are insensitive munition (IM) compliant and these have already gone through an intensive series of tests at the DGA facilities in Bourges.

The French Army has ordered 400 MMP firing posts and 2,850 missiles as a replacement for its MBDA MILAN, as well as the Lockheed Martin/Raytheon Javelin anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) which is being purchased in small numbers to meet a French Army Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR).

The maximum range of the MMP is being quoted as 4,000 m, with the booster giving providing flight until the main motor engages and boosts its maximum speed to around 230 m/s. Once an MMP has been launched, another missile can be rapidly loaded to engage another target. Although it is a fire and forget weapon it has a man in the loop which enables targets to be switched after launch.

It is also supported by a full suite of training equipment for classroom and field use which has been developed by Airbus Group GDI Simulation.

Although the MMP has not yet been qualified, MBDA toldIHS Jane's that it has launched serial production in order for delivery to commence in 2017.

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