The extended-range version of MBDA's Marte anti-ship missile has successfully completed its first firing.
MBDA reports that the extended-range (ER) version of its Marte anti-ship missile has successfully completed its first firing.
The firing trial was carried out on 9th November in an Italian test range. The missile flew for more than 100km on a planned trajectory that included several waypoints and sea skimming flight, successfully testing all phases of flight.
The Marte ER was selected earlier this year by the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) for its new NH90 helicopters. Qatar also plans to deploy the Marte ER, alongside the Exocet MM40 Block 3, in its new coastal defence system.
The Marte ER programme has completed the 18-month System Definition Phase, and integration on the Eurofighter Typhoon platform is currently in progress to give the fighter an anti-ship capability.
The main difference between the Marte ER and the Marte Mk2/S on which it is based lies in the introduction of a turbo engine in place of the rocket motor.