Firing an Aster 30 missile, the French navy frigate Forbin has become the first European ship to intercept a supersonic, sea-skimming aerial target during an April 4 test. (FR navy file photo)/i
Posted on 04/10/2012 5:09:15 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
A European Premiere: Interception of A Supersonic Sea-Skimming Missile
On April 4, 2012, the French navy air-defence frigate Forbin successfully intercepted a supersonic aerial target simulating an incoming supersonic sea-skimming anti-ship missile with its PAAMS (Principal Anti-Air Missile System).
The test was carried out under the joint supervision of the navy and the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA).
This highly complex engagement – a European first -- demonstrates the ability of the PAAMS anti-aircraft system to protect a carrier battle group against a particularly dangerous threat.
The PAAMS, developed under a tripartite cooperation program by France, Italy and the UK, has been fitted to four Horizon-class air-defence frigates (to for France, Forbin and Chevalier Paul) and the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 air-defence destroyers.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: In a separate, April 5 statement, DGA said the target was launched from its Ile du Levant missile test range, and that it was detected, tracked and automatically engaged by Forbin’s PAAMS system and then intercepted by an Aster 30 missile launched from the ship. The entire sequence lasted “a few dozen seconds.” The target was separately identified as GQM-136A Coyote supersonic maneuvering target which can reach speeds of the order of Mach 2.5)
-ends-
Firing an Aster 30 missile, the French navy frigate Forbin has become the first European ship to intercept a supersonic, sea-skimming aerial target during an April 4 test. (FR navy file photo)/i
An Aster 30 surface to air missile is launched from the Chevalier Paul's VLS cell (file picture) (picture: French navy)
very good news
Fortunately, it not just France in this endeavor, as I’m not always sure which side France is on, ‘cept its own side.
Is anyone working on a pumped laser?
Plenty of electricity available on a ship. You don't run out of “bullets,” etc.
FYI the Coyote target is American - an interesting Frankenmissile made of assorted parts.
http://www.orbital.com/newsinfo/publications/coyote_fact.pdf
The Forbin Project?
I seriously doubt that the bad fellows will be usingsupersonic aerial target simulators And what if aforementioned bad boys have 2-3, or even 5 REAL missiles?
Good news ... as far as it goes.
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