MBDA’s Marte ER Triumphs in Final Test Launch!

MBDA’s latest Marte ER anti-ship missile has successfully executed its final test launch at the conclusion of November 2021.

Conducted at a testing facility in Sardinia, Italy, this launch marked a significant milestone in the certification process of Marte ER. It boosted assurance in the effectiveness and dependability of this advanced missile.

A telemetric production-standard missile, equipped with all operational functionalities and manufacturing components, was utilized. The only deviation was the deployment of an inert warhead instead of an active one. The ground-based launch system employed was also in its conclusive hardware and software setup.

Leveraging its mission planning software, the missile executed an extensive range sea-skimming trajectory. It navigated three major turns and performed a pop-up/dive maneuver during the final turn. A straight section followed, leading up to the RF seeker activation point. Target identification, selection, and tracking were remarkably swift, with proportional guidance commencing shortly thereafter.

In its terminal stage, the missile adeptly conducted its anti-Close-in Weapon Systems maneuver, striking the target just above the waterline at a high transonic velocity. This validated the exceptional precision of Marte ER’s terminal guidance, enhanced by its new solid-state RF seeker.

The launch also demonstrated that Marte ER’s turbojet engine performance was exemplary regarding both “in-flight start time” and thrust output.

This test marked the final step in the developmental trajectory of Marte ER, which is poised to be operational early next year.