Centurion completes first live-fire test with Javelin

A Javelin missile has been successfully fired from the multirole Centurion launcher during tests performed by Raytheon Missile Systems and Chemring Countermeasures at the Defence Training Estate on Salisbury Plain.

The testing is part of a project between the two companies to develop a naval anti-surface capability designed for ships ranging in size from small patrol boats to large combatants.

The solution will consist of a range of Raytheon missiles - with ranges matched to the intended target – that will be fired from the Chemring Centurion launcher. Initial target detection, tracking and identification will be provided by the ship's sensors.

Rick Nelson, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Naval and Area Mission Defense product line, said: ‘We're bringing an entirely new dimension to ship self-defence by providing a sea-based, inside-the-horizon platform protection. Chemring's Centurion launcher, when coupled with Raytheon's combat-proven missiles, offers an evolutionary capability to defeat surface threats with this One System-Multiple Missions technology.’

Mark Papworth, chief executive of Chemring Group, added: ‘The progression towards the full integration of a suite of Raytheon missiles with the Centurion  launcher, which can also deploy anti-ship missile countermeasures and anti-torpedo decoys, is a key goal towards the fielding of a multi-warfare discipline protection system that will be eminently suitable for small ships through to major combatants. This important milestone keeps the programme on track to deliver a low-cost, effective and versatile solution.’

The Centurion was launched at IDEX in February and has already completed ‘phase-3 test firings’ of distraction decoys. The system is capable of firing missiles including Griffin, TOW and Javelin.

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