09 Jul 12. MBDA’s Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) has concluded its guided firing programme with three direct hits from three firings during Government sponsored Electronic Protection Measure (EPM) trials against targets deploying countermeasures. The comprehensive development and Government trials programme involved a total of 21 air launched firings, providing evidence of a progressive maturity. As a result, MBDA is on track to complete qualification and make the first production deliveries of this unrivalled capability by the year end. The main purpose of the firings was to gather data for the verification of the sophisticated modelling of the missile carried out by MBDA. MBDA is very confident that these results demonstrate that Meteor exceeds the performance and lethality objectives set by the Partner Nations and confirm its unrivalled air superiority. The firing programme was carried out in two main phases with development firings in 2006 -2008 followed by a Guided Firing campaign from 2009-2012. The Guided Firings and EPM were from Gripen and Tornado F3 against a variety of scenarios and were undertaken at ranges in the United Kingdom and Sweden. There were also a series of over 40 seeker data gathering flights and more than 100 ground firings of the throttlable ducted rocket propulsion system. Unmatched by other missiles, the Propulsion System, developed by Bayern Chemie (a subisidiary of MBDA Germany) gives Meteor the ability to manoeuvre under power, even at the extreme ranges that it achieves while maintaining very high speeds. The UK will be the first of the Partner Nations to receive deliveries of the production missile from MBDA’s UK-based Lostock site, with the programme on schedule make the first delivery around the end of 2012.
12 Jul 12. The French DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) has carried out the first full firing of the MdCN naval cruise missile. The test, which took place on 9th July 2012 at the “DGA Essais de missiles” test centre in Biscarosse, was representative of a firing from a frigate. All the objectives were achieved, notably the validation of the missile’s terminal phase with its autonomous guidance using infrared scene recognition. This guidance mode permits the missile to strike targets with an exceptional degree of precision. MdCN will equip the European FREMM multi-mission frigates as of 2014 and the Barracuda submarines in around 2017. Benefiting from a range of several hundred kilometres, MdCN is intended for the carrying out of deep strikes within enemy territory. It complements the air-launched SCALP cruise missile from which it is derived. Carried on combat vessels positioned at a safe distance and for extended periods within international waters, overtly (frigates) or covertly (submarines), MdCN is ideally suited for the destruction of high strategic value infrastructure targets. The DGA notified MBDA of the MdCN contract at the end of 2006.
12 Jul 12. SKYDEX Technologies announced the release of its next generation of blast protective flooring for military vehicles – Convoy Deck Max. The new product utilized the company’s latest advanced blast mitigating technology, e-max™, to provide more protection for occupants inside of combat vehicles during blast events. The SKYDEX Convoy Deck Max represents an improved design from the company’s current Convoy Deck. The e-max technology absorbs 127 percent more floor velocity than the current product compared to a bare floor, further improving survivability for vehicle occupants. In addition, Convoy Deck Max can be scaled to meet the threat level for the vehicle in which it will be installed. The product is available in 1.25-, 1.75- and 2.25-inch variants that absorb greater amounts of blast energy at each thickness. Higher thicknesses are appropriate for high-threat –level missions, while lower thicknesses are satisfactory for lesser threat levels. Convoy Deck Max utilizes a new surface that has improved tr