MBDA’s anti-ship missile achieves important milestone
The Marte ER features high-level performance, reliability and great effectiveness of temrinal guidance thanks to a new RF seeker. (Photo: MBDA)
MBDA’s newest anti-ship missile has successfully completed its final firing test and will now enter into operation.
MBDA has announced its Marte ER anti-ship missile successfully completed its final test firing at the end of November 2021.
The firing was a key milestone in the validation process of Marte ER. It provided extra confidence in the performance level and reliability of this new missile.
A telemetric production standard missile with all functional capabilities and production hardware embedded was used. The only exception was the use of an inert warhead instead of a live one.
The ground-based launching system used was also in its final hardware and software configuration.
Using its mission planning software, the missile carrier out a long-range sea-skimming flight. Target identification, selection and tracking were extremely fast and proportional guidance started soon after.
During its terminal phase, the missile successfully performed its anti-Close-in weapon systems manoeuvre, hitting the target just above the waterline at high transonic speed.
This confirmed the outstanding effectiveness of Marte ER’s terminal guidance with its new solid-state RF Seeker.
The firing was the last one in the development path of Marte ER, which will enter into operation early next year.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the Marte ER is derived from the Italian Sea Killer missile. It is a helicopter-launched, horizon-range anti-ship weapon with four variants.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![From the Baltic to the Gulf: where USV procurement is heading next]()
From the Baltic to the Gulf: where USV procurement is heading next
Saildrone’s new Copenhagen base is one sign of a larger shift, as navies globally turn to uncrewed vessels for surveillance and mine clearance.
-
![Israeli Navy looks to expand as war reshapes future force requirements]()
Israeli Navy looks to expand as war reshapes future force requirements
Israel’s navy is preparing for a larger and more technically diverse role, but its ambitions could be impacted by supply chain restrictions, accelerating demand for domestic naval production as well as autonomous maritime capabilities.
-
![Quantum sensing gathers pace as navies eye undersea advantage]()
Quantum sensing gathers pace as navies eye undersea advantage
As AI dominates defence conversations, industry increasingly points to quantum sensing as the technology set to change submarine and uncrewed underwater vehicle operations.
-
![Competitive P17B tender marks a shift in Indian Navy frigate procurement]()
Competitive P17B tender marks a shift in Indian Navy frigate procurement
The Indian Navy's P17B programme is expected to combine greater weapons capacity with a competitive domestic construction model, although key systems could remain dependent on international supply chains.
-
![How France’s SNLE 3G programme is reshaping the naval nuclear industrial base]()
How France’s SNLE 3G programme is reshaping the naval nuclear industrial base
Extending far beyond a four-submarine replacement programme, France’s ballistic missile submarine effort is a decades-long industrial initiative designed to preserve the country’s ability to build and sustain nuclear-powered strategic platforms.
-
![Quantum Systems enters maritime domain with Baltic-focused USV and UUV]()
Quantum Systems enters maritime domain with Baltic-focused USV and UUV
Quantum Systems has launched into the maritime domain with Seavex and Subvex, aiming to close a Baltic Sea ISR gap opened by infrastructure sabotage.
