Enforcer in new test firings
The development programme for the Enforcer lightweight missile has chalked up new test firings at the German military’s Technical Center for Weapons and Ammunition 91. MBDA announced the firings on 15 December.
Prototype firings were conducted at ranges of between 1,000m to 2,000m, with the missile guided ‘directly to the centre’ of each intended target. One of the missiles used the new lightweight, carbon-fibre launching tube developed by MBDA in Italy. According to the company, the firings confirmed expectations with regard to the weapon’s homing head.
MBDA plans to begin qualification of the compact missile over the next few years, followed by preparations for series production. One of the focus areas of the programme is the German forces’ night fighting capability requirement, which will see more guided firings take place in 2017.
Peter Heilmeier, MBDA Deutschland’s vice president sales and business development, said: ‘These tests have topped off a successful year of Enforcer development, a year we can look back on and recognise numerous successful firings and other tests. The direct hits demonstrate that we have made an important step forward in the development programme.’
More from Land Warfare
-
The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions
The southeast Asian country has been enhancing its military readiness by procuring advanced Israeli defence platforms and systems.
-
NSPA signs new helmet system framework deal and agreement for C-UAS systems
The Caiman helmet has been designed to be scalable for dynamic operations with mission-specific accessories and can incorporate electronics, communications headsets and other critical equipment.
-
US Missile Defense Agency’s budget could be cut by $2.6 billion over the next three years
The reduction would impact several acquisition and development programmes, creating capabilities gaps in US missile defence architecture.
-
Israel ramps up Arrow-4 development following Iranian attack
Israel’s Ministry of Defense has fast-tracked the development of the Arrow-4 ballistic missile interceptor in response to recent Iranian ballistic missile attacks.
-
Japan orders THeMIS UGVs
Milrem’s Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) is a modular, multimission, hybrid UGV. The current fifth-generation model incorporates knowledge gained during tests in the US, Europe and the Middle East, as well as during field-deployment in Mali in the French-led Operation Barkhane.