Marte ER in second test firing

MBDA has carried out a second firing of the  Marte ER anti-ship missile at the Poligono Interforze del Salto di Quirra test range in Sardinia.

The firing confirmed the overall design and performance of the missile, with several additional features and functionalities tested for the first time.

These additional functionalities include an integrated navigation system, proximity fly-over fuse, with weapon controller and actuation system in advanced configuration. The missile also featured the terminal guidance with a new seeker.

According to the company, the floating target was hit with ‘almost zero’ miss distance at a range of about 100km. The missile pushed its envelope to the limit with several major manoeuvres including very low sea skimming at very high speed.

The successful strike confirms the behaviour of the missile, and the telemetry system recorded a huge amount of data. Flight data showed very good alignment with simulation outcomes.

The Marte ER programme is progressing at full speed in order to meet customers’ requirements and the full integration of  Marte ER on the Eurofighter Typhoon platform. The first firing took place at the end of 2018.