Sea Venom/ANL completes second firing
MBDA has successfully completed the second development firing of the Sea Venom/Anti-Navire Léger (ANL) missile, MBDA announced on 31 May.
The missile was fired from a DGA Panther test helicopter at Ile Du Levant in southeast France.
The test firing highlighted Sea Venom/ANL’s lock on after launch capabilities and validated the missile’s low-altitude, sea-skimming flight capability, the effectiveness of the data link between the missile and helicopter and Sea Venom/ANL’s autonomous guidance capability, using images from its infrared seeker.
In the UK, the ANL missile will be used from the AW159 Wildcat helicopter, while France will operate the missile from its future Light Joint Helicopter.
The missile is designed to enable the helicopters of both countries’ navies to deal with a range of threats including fast moving patrol boats, corvettes and coastal targets.
MBDA was awarded the production contract for Sea Venom/ANL in March 2014.
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