MBDA introduces naval versions of the MMP 5th generation missiles system

MBDA has  unveiled  its new  naval  offering based  on  the MMP  5th  generation  ground  combat  missile  at  Euronaval.  This  decision  follows  the operational evaluation  campaign carried out at the end of the summer by the French armed forces in Djibouti to confirm the reliability and operational performance of the MMP system in a hot environment, both from the ground and also from a rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) moving at high speed.

A total of nine MMP missiles were fired with all reaching their target. Two of these shots were fired by the maritime force of marines and commandos from a ECUME RHIB. A first firing from the sea-to- land and the second from sea-to-sea have demonstrated the ease of use of the MMP.

The  success  of  this  evaluation  allows  MBDA  to  extend  the  integration  perspectives  of  the  MMP system  and  to  propose  it  on  fast  attack  craft  or  semi-rigid  boats  for  missions  against  hostile  ships, coastal  defenses  or  armored  vehicles,  especially  in  support  of  a  landing  of  small  units  or  Special Forces.

At  Euronaval,  the  MMP  system  (firing  post  and  missile)  is  presented  on  the  Zodiac  Milpro  booth, installed  on  a  Hurricane  type  RHIB.  On  fast  patrol  boats,  the  MMP  will  be  fired  from  a  stabilised turret carrying four ready-to-fire ammunitions installed in launchers protecting the missiles from the maritime  environment.  The  turret  can  be  controlled  from  a  dedicated  console  or  from  a multifunction console in the ship’s operations center.

Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA, said: “Today’s launch of a family of naval systems based on the MMP missile is aligned with the trajectory we initiated with the French armies at the launch of the MMP program  in 2011.  By  deciding  at that time to  introduce  the most modern  technologies of  guidance and propulsion together with a multi-effect warhead, we laid the foundations of a family of weapons capable of meeting the most demanding constraints the armed forces may encounter in the field, in terms  of  tactical  effects,  in  terms  of  mobility,  as  well  as  in  environmental  terms.  The  MMP  family sees today the advent of naval versions. I have no doubt that the MMP will give birth to other more powerful versions in the near future.“