FASGW Launched by British Lynx © MBDA UK 2014 Missile manufacturer MBDA has been awarded a Demonstration and Manufacture contract by F...
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| FASGW Launched by British Lynx © MBDA UK 2014 |
Missile manufacturer MBDA has been awarded a Demonstration and Manufacture contract by French and British Defence Ministries for an new advanced anti-ship missile- the FASGW(H)/ANL (Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon (Heavy)/ Anti Navire Léger)on 26th March 2014.
The jointly funded Anglo-French contract, valued at more than £500 million (€600 million) has been awarded by the UK DE&S (Defence Equipment & Support) on behalf of the French and UK Defence Ministries.
FASGW(H)/ANL will equip the Royal Navy’s AW159 Lynx Wildcat helicopters and the French Navy’s maritime helicopters.
UK MoD will contribute £280 million towards the development of the missiles in what is the first new collaborative project since last month’s Anglo-French summit, held at RAF Brize Norton.
The 100kg anti-ship missile suitable for both blue water and cluttered littoral operations, can destroy from safe stand-off ranges vessels ranging from FIAC (Fast Inshore Attack Craft), through medium sized FAC (Fast Attack Craft) up to large vessels such as Corvettes. This missile also has a surface attack capability against coastal and land targets.
A high speed, two-way data-link communicates the images “seen” by the missile’s seeker to the operator, who, in addition to initiating an autonomous engagement, can alternatively remain in control of the missile throughout the full duration of its flight. This optional, man-in-the-loop, monitor-and-control facility, enables new capabilities such as: in-flight re-targeting; final aim point correction and refinement; or safe abort. Ultimately, the missile will be able to engage targets situated out of direct line of sight when the launch platform is able to benefit from third party target designation techniques, for example laser illumination.
This new missile will replace existing and legacy systems such as the UK-developed Sea Skua and the French-developed AS15TT anti-ship missiles.
