Article Posted on : - May 11, 2012

A Brazilian Navy photo.

BRASILIA (BNS): The Brazilian Navy has successfully carried out a firing trial of an Exocet MM40 missile, equipped with a motor developed and produced by Avibras in partnership with European group MBDA.

This is the first time that the Brazilian Navy has carried out such a test involving an investment of 75 million Reals, giving the country autonomy in the development of anti-ship missile motors.

The test was carried out in the open ocean from the Brazilian Navy corvette Barroso, an MBDA statement said.

Admiral Julio Soares de Moura Neto, Commander of the Brazilian Navy said, the firing was an example of a successful programme of technology cooperation.

"This test marks one of the great successes of recent times for the Brazilian Navy," he said.

This firing and the cooperative development carried out between the two companies is part of the Exocet MM40 missile renovation and operational maintenance programme.

The objective of this trial was to verify and validate the maximum performance of the missile's new flight propellant over its maximum range which was achieved without any difficulty, the statement said.

Another aspect of the trial was the replacement of the Exocet warhead by a telemetry unit supplied by the Brazilian company Mectron. The equipment permitted the real-time measurement of all the relevant parameters of the fired missile -- velocity, pressure, cruise trajectory etc.

Two frigates and three helicopters of the Brazilian Navy, equipped with interconnected monitoring devices covering the deployment area, also participated in the exercise.

The success of this test also demonstrates the ability of Brazil's private company Avibras concerning the development, production and certification of this type of Exocet MM40 missile propulsion technology as well as the possibility of carrying out series production.

"I welcome the success of this firing exercise which reinforces the cooperation between our government and both national and international companies as well as the way it opens up new markets to the companies involved in the programme", said Sami Youssef Hassuani, CEO of Avibras.

"This test reinforces our strategic partnership with Brazil, a prominent power in the global geopolitical arena", said Patrick de La Reveliere, Vice President of Export Sales MBDA.

The Exocet anti-ship missile operates on 'fire and forget' principle and incorporates stealth features. Having a range of 70 to 180 kilometers, the missile can fly at 315 meters per second and carry weapons warheads up to 165 kg.