|
|
| a |
Naval
Forces News - France, UK |
| |
|
| |
| |
| UK,
France sign joint defense agreement, commit to ANL FASGW(H) anti-ship
missile program |
| |
The UK and France have agreed to strengthen defence cooperation following
a Summit at RAF Brize Norton. A communiqué signed by the Prime
Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande sets out
plans for closer ties between the two countries. Among other things,
the two countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding confirming
joint orders for the future FASGW(H)/ANL helicopter launched anti-ship
missile.
The ANL (Anti Navire Léger / Light Anti-ship) also known as FASGW(H)
(Future Anti-Ship Guided Weapon Heavy) is being designed and developed
by MBDA. |
|
FASGW(H)
missile model next to a Lynx helicopter onboard a Royal Navy Type 45
Destroyer
Picture: Navy Recognition
|
|
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
|
