Successful Test Firings for Three PAAMS Program Partners

On Thursday June 17, 2010, Direction Generale de l’Armement (DGA), the French defence procurement agency, successfully carried out the test firing of two Aster 30 missiles from the Royal Navy barge Longbow. The barge was operated from the DGA Missile Test Range at Ile du Levant (Var district) on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence.

Carried out as part of the French-Italian-British Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS) program, these firings were intended to validate modifications that were made to the Aster 30 missile after launch failures in 2009.

With the successful launch of Aster 30s from the Italian navy frigate Andrea Doria on May 25, 2010 and from the French navy frigate Forbin on June 1, this final test consisted of a salvo launch of two Aster 30s from the barge Longbow, representative of a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer.

The success of these launches validates the modifications designed and implemented by MBDA on certain missile components that had been subject to faulty workmanship.

This series of four Aster 30 missile launches confirms the operational capabilities of the French navy Horizon-class frigates Forbin and Chevalier Paul to operate their main weapon system, and to shortly assume their main mission of naval air defense.