First firing of French MMP missile
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has successfully completed the first firing of the Missile de Moyenne Portée (MMP) medium-range missile, it has been announced.
The combat support missile was fired at the DGA Techniques Terrestres site in Bourges, central France. This marked the first test firing to validate the accuracy of the MMP in locking onto a target over 4,000m away and hidden from view at launch. Further test firings will take place during the first quarter of 2015.
The MMP is a new-generation, high-technology missile being developed under a wider programme to modernise the French Army. It was developed by MBDA France and is currently in development phase after the firm signed a contract with the DGA in December 2013.
The missile will enable the armed forces to neutralise various targets with a high level of precision while keeping collateral damage to a minimum and maximising the safety of the operator. The system is scheduled to be delivered to the army in 2017.
More from Land Warfare
-
Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options
The French and German governments signed an agreement in June 2018 to cooperate on the development of a new main battle tank under the Main Ground Combat System programme but the effort has struggled. This new agreement may damage it further.
-
Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions
Developed by Israel's Uvision and with systems being sold in the thousands to multiple European NATO countries and the US, the Hero family of loitering systems is also in production in the US and Italy, the latter through Rheinmetall.
-
Lockheed Martin to look further afield for GMARS rocket system opportunities
The HX truck is already in use in many NATO and allied countries around the world as a logistics vehicle and carrier for high-value systems, including missile firing weapons, so its use for the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System makes logistical sense.