MBDA advances the FASGW/ANL Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon programme at DSEI 2011.

Since being launched as a Joint Assessment Phase in 2009, MBDA has been successfully developing the technical maturity data of the main FASGW(H)/ANL (Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon (Heavy)/Anti Navire Leger) sub-systems that highlight the forward momentum of this important Anglo-French missile programme.

High speed wind tunnel trials have been performed on a representative scale model of the missile and confirm the chosen original design. Gas gun firings have been achieved and validate the warhead design. Motor firings have been carried out to confirm performance in various thermal environments. Sea trials of data link terminal and missile antenna have been carried out under a wide range of sea states and weather conditions. Main missile sensors, such as the seeker and the radio-altimeter have been trialled at sea or in simulation so as to gather the necessary data for the Demonstration & Manufacture phase.

“As planned, the Assessment Phase contract has now delivered a system design and the necessary sub-systems proof of maturity”, Antoine Bouvier Chief Executive Officer of MBDA said. “I am confident that these results together with the discussions we are having with the two national customers will allow us to enter soon into the Demonstration & Manufacture phase and confirm FASGW(H)/ANL as a cornerstone of Anglo-French cooperation in the Complex Weapons Sector.