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The
original aim was to withdraw the old Sea Skua along with the current
Lynx helicopters, while rolling into service the new Wildcat helicopter
in 2015 with FASGW(H) already available and integrated. The 2015 date
now looks unlikely for an In Service Date. The latest NAO Major Projects
(UK National Audit Office) report put the ISD for FASGW(H) as far away
as January 2018.
FASG(H) / ANL is set to be intergrated on AW159 Lynx Wildcat for the
Royal Navy and NH90 and Panther helicopters for the French Navy.
According to manufacturer MBDA, the new weapon is a significant advance
on both Sea Skua and AS15TT:
• Long Stand-Off Range providing helicopter protection from air
defence systems
• The ability to select the precise target aim point
• The new seeker option will allow target information to be relayed
via a two-way data
link to the operator.
This target data will enable the operator to make changes to
the missile guidance during free flight
• Precision targeting both by night and day, using legacy onboard
sensors
• A lighter weight weapon will increase the number of platforms
on which FASGW-ANL
can be integrated
The new design will maintain some of the earlier characteristics of
Sea Skua and AS15TT allowing current users to easily upgrade. By retaining
compatibility with existing logisticfootprints this will result in the
following benefits;
• Minor modification to existing ship storage and handling equipment
• Retaining high helicopter load-out
• Minimal impact on logistics and through life costs
• Low integration costs as existing onboard magazine arrangements
can be utilised
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