Article Posted on : - Jun 21, 2011

A DGA photo

ILE du LEVANT (BNS): France has conducted successful test firing of the SCALP Naval cruise missile system from an underwater platform for the first time.

The missile, designated MdCN (missile de croisière naval) in French Navy, was test fired from the Levant Island in the Mediterranean on June 8. The launch was conducted by the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA).

The cruise missile, designed by European missile manufacturer MBDA, was launched from a submerged platform representative of a launch from a submarine diving, the DGA said.

“All objectives of the shooting have been achieved. It has enabled the validation of the following phases: the ejection of the missile, leaving the water, the separation of the container and the underwater passage cruise,” the defence procurement agency said.

France has placed an order for 200 SCALP Naval missiles with MBDA. The cruise missiles are being designed to equip the French Navy’s new FREMM multi-mission frigates and the Barracuda class nuclear-powered attack submarines.

MBDA, which has already produced the Storm Shadow / SCALP air-launched cruise missile system, is developing the naval variant of the cruise missile in two configurations.

In the first configuration, the missile is being designed for vertical launch from the future FREMM frigates using the compact A70 vertical launcher. In the submarine mode, the weapon will be launched through torpedo tubes.

The first test firing of the SCALP Naval missile took place in May, 2010 using a FREMM frigate configuration from a production series Sylver A70 launcher.

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 is expected to enter service with the French FREMM surface vessels by 2013 and in the Barracuda submarines by 2017.