Thales, Aselsan to continue MLS development
Thales and Aselsan have signed a cooperation agreement to continue the joint development of a Missile Launcher System (MLS).
The under-development MLS incorporates Aselsan’s own MLS and Thales’ Lightweight Multi-role Missiles (LMM). The two began joint development in 2010, with the first-stage firings of the integrated MLS and LMM demonstrated in 2014.
This new agreement covers further firing demonstrations, initially in the naval domain. It also covers further cooperation between Thales and Aselsan in other areas.
The Thales LMM is a lightweight precision strike missile that can be fired from various tactical platforms, including helicopters, UAVs, tracked or wheeled vehicles and naval platforms. It can attack surface threates such as UAVs, fast in-shore attack crafts, asymmetric threats, armoured personnel carriers and static installations.
The Aselsan MLS is a customised lightweight and compact system for ships, fast patrol boats and other naval platforms. It can defend critical infrastructure such as naval bases, sea ports and oil rigs from various air and surface threats.
The LMM MLS can be fully integrated in a combat management system or used autonomously. It has 4/8 ready-to-fire Thales LMMs, two-axis gyro-stabilised turret, automatic target tracking with an independent stabilised EO suite, laser range finding and more.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy’s MUSV programme could lay the USV procurement blueprint for NATO allies]()
US Navy’s MUSV programme could lay the USV procurement blueprint for NATO allies
The programme’s structure as a marketplace will allow multiple companies to compete for ongoing procurements; an approach which could be replicated across the Atlantic.
-
![UK Defence Investment Plan: What does it mean for the country’s naval forces?]()
UK Defence Investment Plan: What does it mean for the country’s naval forces?
Investment in nuclear submarines, autonomous systems and stronger defensive capabilities for existing vessels show a clear strategic shift in Royal Navy priorities.
-
![UK Royal Navy shifts focus from warships to system-led warfare]()
UK Royal Navy shifts focus from warships to system-led warfare
With a revised Defence Investment Plan on the way ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit on 7-8 July, the UK government has begun to reveal more details of how its future naval fleet could look.
-
![UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition]()
UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition
The UK shipbuilder’s full-year results to the end of March revealed the impact of the £140 million charge linked to design changes and rework on the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate programme.
