Thursday,
November 17, 2011, the air defense frigate (actually a Destroyer class
in displacement) "Chevalier Paul" destroyed an aerial target
flying at high speed using an Aster 30 long range anti-aircraft missile.
This shot was intended primarily to validate the use of these missiles
over very long distances.
With a length of 4.9 m and a mass of 450 kg, capable of speeds greater
than Mach 4, the Aster 30 long range anti-aircraft missile has an electromagnetic
seeker. It can be used against missiles or hostile aircraft and thus
contributes to the defense of a carrier battle group or amphibious battle
group. It equips the Horizon class frigates (used by France and Italy)
and Type 45 destroyers (used by Royal Navy). |
