On 14 April, MBDA and Nexterparticipated inthe first lock-on firing of an MMP medium-range missile from a Jaguar armoured reconnaissance and combat vehicle (EBRC). The French defence procurement agency (DGA) carried out the firing at theirLand Techniques Test Centreas part of the JAGUAR qualification.
Launched from the retractable pod on the Jaguar’s turret in two-missile configuration, the MMP successfully hit itstarget.The integration of MMP onto JAGUAR is being carried out in stages during qualification.
This firing is the first stage,successfully demonstrating hitting a fixed target. The system will offerthe capability to destroy fixed or mobile hardened land targets, including up to the latest generation of tanks. Targeting will be direct or beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS).
It will also be precise and with minimal collateral damage, qualities that characterise the MMP.MMP’scapabilities–integrated into the Jaguar’s turret byNexter,alongside the remote controlledweapon stationdeveloped by Arquus, the Scorpion commonvetronics solution developed by Thales and the 40mm cannon developed by CTAI – gives the Jaguar a key role incollaborative combat.
During this demonstration, the Optrolead PASEO battlefield surveillance sight interfaced with the missile system, offering real-time optronic acquisition by day and by night. This gives the Jaguar excellent long-range observation and identification capabilities.
Frédéric Michaud, Head of Battlefield Sector forSales & Business Developmentat MBDA, said: “This firing marks an important first step of thework conducted with Nexter to develop the Jaguar turret and integrate the MMP into a weapon system built on the latest technological solutions. This two-missile turret configuration considerably expands the vehicle’s firepower.”
David Marquette, Jaguar project manager at Nexter, hailedthe exceptional work of the programme team on this critically important system integration project: “This marks a major milestone, demonstrating the technical skills of our teams in designing and developing an operational capability unlike any other in the world.”
The Scorpion programme aims to renew and modernise the Army's combat capabilities around new platforms and a unified combat information system.
Along side the Griffon multi-role armoured vehicle (VBMR) and the Serval, cavalry units will be supplied with the Jaguar EBRC, to replace their existing AMX10RC, ERC90 and VAB HOT armoured vehicles.
The GRIFFON and JAGUAR vehicles are supplied by the Nexter Arquus Thales consortium. They are intended for the French and Belgian ground armies. The Jaguar’s turret is equipped with a 40mm cannon capable of firing telescoped ammunition, an MMP capability, and a remotely operated 7.62mm machine gun.
The EBRC displays excellent mobility and enhanced protection, and incorporates latest-generation optronics. The requirements of collaborative combat on the battlefield – real-time information sharing, mutual protection and rapid combat response – are met by the Scorpion Combat Information System (SICS) as well as by the new-generation CONTACT1 tactical radios and the vetronics architecture common to all Scorpion vehicles.
The MMP missile integration kit developed by MBDA for the Jaguar EBRC can be easily adapted onto other turrets carrying several ready-to-fire missiles. Its ease of implementation allows for very rapid loading and unloading operations.
