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Naval Forces News - France |
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French
Navy Horizon Class Destroyer Launched MM40 Exocet Anti-ship Missile
for the first time |
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French
Navy's Horizon-class AAW Destroyer Forbin (classified as "Frigate"
in the French Navy) succesfully test-fired an MM40 Block III anti-ship
missile for the first time, the French Navy announced. The test took
place in late November in the Mediterranean Sea.
A French Navy Atlantique 2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft took part in the
test to track the missile during its flight. The Exocet missile eventually
hit the designated target as expected. |
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An MBDA-made
MM40 Block III Exocet anti-ship missile is launched from the Horizon-class
Destroyer Forbin. Picture: French Navy
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The
Exocet MM40 Block III weapon system is the latest generation ship-borne
version of the Exocet family and is in service with several navies.
The missile provides the following key operational
features:
• Effective operational range in excess of 180
km
• Anti-ship as well as littoral operations and coastal land
attack capability
• Excellent ability to penetrate and saturate target anti-missile
defences, both hard (high g evasive manoeuvres) and soft (innovative
ECCM)
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The French
Navy destroyer FS Forbin (D620) in the Arabian Sea
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Figueroa
Medina/Released)
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The
Horizon-class destroyers were built under the Horizon programme to meet
a joint requirement for four anti-air warfare destroyers with a displacement
of approximately 7,000 tonnes (two for the French Navy and two for the
Italian Navy). The programme was a multinational collaboration between
France and Italy. The primary weapon system was developed and produced
in partnership with the UK.
Horizon-class 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 deployed 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. |
