Breaking news
French Navy's Air Warfare Destroyers successfully intercept supersonic sea-skimming target.
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Naval
Forces News - France |
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French Navy's Air Warfare Destroyers successfully intercept supersonic sea-skimming target | |||
On
April 4, 2012, the Forbin Air Defense Destroyer destroyed a supersonic
target simulating an antiship missile at very low altitude. The target,
a GQM
163A Coyote, was launched from the French Military's Missile
Test Center based on the island of Levant (French Riviera). The Forbin,
head of Horizon class AAW Destroyer, intercepted the target in flight
with its Aster 30 missile while Chevalier Paul, second ship of Horizon
class, was tracking both the target and the missiles launched by Forbin. The test, a first in Europe, was "highly technical," according to French Ministry of Defence and a success. |
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An Aster 30 surface to air missile is launched from the Chevalier Paul's VLS cell (file picture) (picture: French navy) |
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"This test, conducted in collaboration with
the French Procurement Agency, strengthens the ability of the French
Navy to ensure the protection of forces at sea (carrier battle group
or amphibious battle groups) against threats of the most stringent anti-ship
missiles. It is, moreover, a first in Europe, during which the two destroyers
were prepared and have completed a complex operational scenario, facing
a supersonic sea-skimming threat."
says the French MoD in an official statement.
The Forbin and Chevalier Paul destroyers are equipped with the Principal Anti Air Missile System (PAAMS), a joint French/Italian/British programme for a naval anti-aircraft weapon. Both vessels have been during Operation Harmattan. Off the coast of Libya, they have ensured the protection of naval groups around the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and Tonnerre and Mistral LHDs. They also conducted coastal fire support operations and coordinated the air activity for the coalition operating off the coast of Libya, function known as "Red crown". |