Article Posted on : - May 25, 2011

An MBDA photo

BERLIN (BNS): MBDA has conducted test firing exercise of the PARS 3 LR guided antitank missile system for the first time with warheads using a Tiger support helicopter of the German Army.

MBDA Deutschland which conducted the campaign on the test range in Vidsel, Sweden, said all guided missiles hit their targets at the optimum point of impact.

The first two test firings from the Tiger were carried out within one minute of each other. Flying just 10 m above the treetops, the helicopter first fired at a stationary target around 7,000 m away.

The second missile was fired just a few moments later at a target travelling at approximately 40 km/h. To make this shot, the Tiger turned 180° and assumed a firing position at an altitude of approx. 100 m. The moving target was approx 700 m distant. Both PARS 3 LR missiles hit the targets precisely at their centre.

The third missile was fired the next day while the Tiger was flying forward at high speed. The Tiger fired on a stationary target around 7,000 m away while travelling at a speed of 180 km/. This guided missile also hit its target at the optimum point of impact, the company said.

The three PARS 3 LR firings were part of a MBDA Deutschland export campaign. The guided missile system is on the short list for a procurement project of the Indian Army, it added.

The guided missile is manufactured by PARSYS, a joint venture of LFK GmbH (MBDA Deutschland) and Diehl BGT Defence. The German Army has already authorized series production of 680 PARS 3 LR guided missiles. This guided missile system is the future main armament of the Tiger support helicopter.