Article Posted on : - Apr 11, 2014

The SCALP Naval missile being test fired. A DGA file photo

PARIS (BNS): The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has successfully carried out the second qualification test firing of the SCALP Naval (MdCN) cruise missile system on April 8.

The test, conducted at the DGA's Biscarrosse missile test centre in South West France, was representative of a firing from a frigate.

It demonstrated the missile's flight capabilities at high altitude, MBDA, which has developed the weapon, said.

The first qualification test firing of the cruise missile was carried out in July 2013.

France is developing the new cruise missile 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 set to equip the FREMM surface vessels by 2014 and the Barracuda class submarines by 2017.

France has placed an order for 200 SCALP Naval missiles with MBDA.