MBDA’s new Marte ER anti-ship missile completed its final test firing at the end of November 2021, ahead of its induction into operations next year.
Carried out at an Italian test range in Sardinia, the firing was a key milestone in the validation process of Marte ER. It provided extra confidence in the performance level and reliability of this new missile, the company said.
For the test, a telemetric production standard missile with all functional capabilities and production hardware embedded was used. The only exception was the use of an inert warhead instead of a live one. The ground based launching system used was also in its final hardware and software configuration.
Using its mission planning software, the missile carried out a long range sea skimming flight. It made three main turns and a pop-up / dive maneuver during the last turn.
A straight segment then followed up to the RF seeker activation point. Target identification, selection and tracking was extremely fast and proportional guidance started soon after.
During its terminal phase, the missile performed its anti-close-in weapon systems maneuver, hitting the target just above the water line at high transonic speed.
The firing also showed Marte ER’s turbojet engine behavior was suitable for both “in flight start time” and thrust level.
MBDA has previously said that the Marte ER program was also working on the integration of the missile on the Eurofighter Typhoon platform, thereby providing an anti-ship capability for the fighter.
