French
Navy Super Étendard Modernisé Fighters and ATL2 MPA in
AM39 ASuW Exercise
On
September 12, 2015, two French Navy (Marine Nationale) Super Étendard
Modernisés (SEM) carrier-borne strike fighters from Flottile
17F and one ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Flotille 21F launched
some AM39 anti-ship missiles against training targets at sea. The launch
from the SEM was simultaneous as you can see in the picture below.
This anti-surface warfare (ASuW) exercise validates the high level of
training followed by the Flottiles crews and by the naval air station
personnel. With expertise in the areas of air-sea control missions day
and night, the Flotille 17F also provides fire support missions for
the troops ashore with modern weapons like GBU49 GPS and laser guided
bombs.
Two SEMs from Flotille 17F launch an MBDA AM39 Exocet anti-ship missile
simultaneously against training targets at sea. Picture: French Navy
Until
the transition of Flotille 17F from the SEM to the Rafale M in 2016,
9 SEMs will continue to perform multiple operational missions from aircraft
carrier Charles de Gaulle. For their part, the crews of ATL2
engaged in Chammal (name of the French military operationin Iraq against
ISIL) since September 2014 show that they remain faithful to their first
vocations: ASW and ASuW.
The Exocet AM39 Anti-ship missile is in service with the French armed
forces and the navies of 11 other countries. In January 2004, the French
DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) awarded MBDA
with the contract covering the development of both the Exocet AM39 Block2
Mod2 and the Exocet MM40 Block3.
In June 2007, the latest Mod2 development of the Exocet AM39 Block2
completed its final validation firing from a naval Rafale F3 combat
aircraft. The firing also served as the validation firing for the Rafale
in its F3 standard. The Mod2 evolution has seen the digitisation of
Exocet AM39 Block2, an adaptation called for by the requirements of
the latest generation of rotary and fixed wing aircraft such as the
Rafale F3.
Exocet AM39 in action
(Video: MBDA)
The
Exocet has an OTH (Over The Horizon) firing capacity and a range of
other operational benefits including :
• low signature
• late seeker activation
• sea-skimming at very low altitude
• enhanced target discrimination and ECCM
• high penetrative power against modern naval air defences.
The Exocet AM39 can be launched from a range of platforms: fighter aircraft,
maritime patrol aircraft and medium or heavy helicopters at stand-off
ranges.
Two SEMs from Flotille 17F launch an MBDA AM39 Exocet anti-ship missile
simultaneously against training targets at sea. Picture: French Navy