MBDA Unveils Next Level: Sea Venom-ANL Missile Achieves New Testing Breakthrough
MBDA’s Sea Venom-ANL: A Milestone in Naval Strike CapabilityMBDA’s Sea Venom-ANL anti-ship missile has proudly completed another firing trial, marking an essential advancement in the Anglo-French cooperation program. On November 14, the test was conducted using a Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) Dauphin helicopter at the DGA Missile testing range on Ile du Levant. This trial signifies the final development firing before the commencement of qualification trials set for 2019. This recent test showcased the Sea Venom-ANL’s impressive lock on before launch (LOBL) capabilities. The operator utilized images from the missile’s infrared seeker to identify and designate the target before launch.
The Sea Venom-ANL is versatile, capable of being launched from various platforms, including the UK Royal Navy’s AW159 Wildcat and the future HIL (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger) helicopters of the French Navy. Weighing 120 kg, this sea-skimming missile is engineered to counter diverse threats, such as fast-moving patrol boats, corvettes, and coastal targets. This missile can be deployed in both lock on before launch (LOBL) and lock on after launch (LOAL) modes. Equipped with a two-way datalink and an advanced imaging seeker, it empowers the operator to monitor engagements, refine aim points, select new targets, or abort missions as necessary. The Sea Venom-ANL is being developed as part of a unique joint program initiated during the 2010 Lancaster House Summit. This collaboration leverages the consolidated centers of excellence established within the Anglo-French missile industry under the ‘One Complex Weapons’ initiative, paving the way for innovative advancements in defense technology. |
