Article Posted on : - Sep 09, 2011

The military firing of an Aster 30 surface-to-air medium-range missile (SAMP). Photo: French Air Force.

PARIS (BNS): The French Air Force's "Servance" air-defense squadron, based in Luxeuil, has recently carried out the first military firing of an Aster 30 surface-to-air medium-range missile (SAMP).

The test firing was successful and met all operational expectations.

The trial was carried out on 1st Sept, 2011, at the Direction Generale de l’Armament missile test range in Biscarrosse, in south-western France, under the guidance of the space control brigade (BACE), which reports to the Air Defence Forces Command, according to a news report by the French Air Force.

During the test, the SAMP battery engaged the designated target, moving towards the coastline of the Landes region, at a range of about 40 km and destroyed it at a distance of 30 km from the point defended by the SAMP section, the news report added.

The first SAMP section was delivered to EDSA 04950 "Servance" air-defense squadron on Sept 20, 2010.