MBDA succeeds in first trial firing of Sea Venom
MBDA has carried out its first qualification firing trial for the Sea Venom/ANL anti-ship missile. The test was carried out at the DGA Essais de missiles test site at Ile Du Levant.
The missile was launched from a Dauphin helicopter and it managed to reach its cruise speed whilst sea skimming at an extremely low altitude.
Previous tests such as the lock on after launch (LOAL) and the lock on before launch (LOBL) have already been completed.
Sea Venom is being developed for British and French naval helicopters for use against hostile vessels in littoral environments.
The new missile is expected to be used by the UK RN’s AW159 Wildcat and the French Navy’s Guépard Light Joint Helicopter (HIL).
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Navy extends the deadline for submitting proposals for the Next Generation Logistics Ship
NAVSEA plans to select up to three suppliers for the concept design phase of the programme in Q2 FY2026.
-
Advances in USV technology help develop tomorrow’s hybrid fleet
As services like the Royal Navy and US Navy aim to develop hybrid fleets to reduce reliance on and dangers to crewed vessels, L3Harris, Metal Shark and Red Cat step forward.
-
South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch
Hanwha Ocean’s Jang Yeong-sil is the Republic of Korea Navy’s first 3,600t submarine and is the first of three boats in the military’s KSS-III programme.
-
ST Engineering Marine expands capacity, seeks regional partners for growth
The company could be looking to collaborate with other Asian nations as well as countries further afield as it pushes ahead with its shipyard expansion plans.
-
US Navy approaches the award of a follow-on contract for Aegis production
Naval Sea Systems Command intends to grant a production agreement for the Aegis Weapon System covering the FY2026-FY2030 period.
-
AUKUS update: Australian sovereignty is “paramount” as Trump declares “full steam ahead”
AUKUS has been under the spotlight this week as US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had their first face-to-face meeting.