Article Posted on : - Jul 08, 2013

The SCALP Naval missile being test fired. A DGA photo

BISCARROSSE (BNS): The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has successfully conducted the first qualification test firing of the SCALP Naval (MdCN) cruise missile system last week.

The missile test, conducted at the DGA's Biscarrosse missile test centre on July 1, was representative of a firing from a frigate.

In addition to meeting its mission objectives, the test firing also validated the cruise missile's performance with regard to its autonomous terminal navigation using infrared target recognition, the DGA said.

France is developing the new cruise missiles to equip its FREMM multi-mission frigates and Barracuda class nuclear-powered attack submarines.

European missile maker MBDA, which has produced the Storm Shadow / SCALP air-launched cruise missile system, is developing the naval variant of the missile.

The new long-range cruise missile, with deep strike capability, will use the propulsion, autonomous navigation and guidance and automatic target recognition similar to that of the Storm Shadow / SCALP air-launched cruise missile.

The SCALP Naval, also designated MdCN (missile de croisière naval) in French Navy, is expected to enter service with the French FREMM surface vessels by 2014 and in the Barracuda submarines by 2017.