The Italian FREMM frigate Bergamini successfully carried out the first ASTER 30 firing of the FREMM programme on 22nd November. The firing took place at the Salto di Quirra facility in Eastern Sardinia, which is the Italian Joint Firing Range. The event marked the return to service, after 4 years, of the Salto di Quirra test range, which is now fully compliant with the latest environmental safety requirements. 

The OCCAR-EA FREMM Programme Division is procuring 10 FREMM Frigates on behalf of the Italian Navy with deliveries ongoing until 2021. 

The first qualification firing was conducted in autonomous mode with the Italian SAAM ESD (Surface Anti Air Missile, Extended Self Defence) system, to the full satisfaction of the Italian Navy. The SAAM ESD qualification plan is expected to be completed with a follow-on live firing planned for April 2017, when the anti-air warfare complex will be managed seamlessly integrated with the FREMM’s CMS (Combat Management System). 

The missile system, produced by MBDA, is composed of an AGIS Command and Control System, an active Multi-Function Radar for searching, tracking, detection and missile guidance, together with 2 Sylver A-50 vertical launch firing modules. 

The Italian FREMM Anti Air Warfare Capability based on the SAAM ESD provides both Self Defence and Extended Self Defence, guaranteeing protection also to consort ships through their 16 ASTER missiles (ASTER 15 or ASTER 30). 

The firing was conducted using an instrumented telemetry missile that confirmed the capabilities of the SAAM ESD against missiles simulated by a Mirach 100/5 target.