In line with the initial schedule defined by the DGA (the French procurement agency) in 2013, MBDA has started series production of the MMP (Missile Moyenne Portée – medium-range missile) system. First deliveries to the French armed forces as a replacement for Milan will take place as of 2017.
The final development firing of the MMP validated a complex scenario in which the target was hidden at the time of firing and then designated in flight by the gunner by means of the seeker's feedback image supplied via a fibre-optic link. In this "indirect firing" mode, the MMP offers unparalleled precision and significantly reduces the risk of collateral damage. Since then, the DGA has declared the start of the qualifying phase for which the first four firings have already been carried out.
Since the programme was launched in 2011, some 20 test firings and numerous ground tests have served to validate all the performance values required by the French armed forces, such as system resistance and employability in extreme environment and temperature conditions, shooting under infra-red guidance at a long-range target (4,100 meters), firing in confined spaces, or warhead versatility, to ensure effectiveness against varied targets such as combat vehicles, dismounted combatants in open spaces, or entrenched in infrastructure.
Notified by the DGA in 2013, the MMP programme will provide 2,850 missiles and 400 firing posts to the French armed forces starting from 2017.
The MMP is a fifth generation land combat missile system ensuring superiority in the battlefield through its versatile warhead and its two firing modes (“direct firing” with "fire-and-forget" or "man- in- the- loop" options, and "indirect firing").
Description
MMP is the latest (fifth) generation land combat missile system designed for dismounted infantry as well as for integration on combat vehicles.
Featuring both fire-and-forget and man-in-the-loop operation, network-enabled MMP also receives third party target designation for indirect firing scenarios.
MMP’s design includes the growth potential necessary for a future family of missiles for modern land combat.
MMP will replace the Milan and Javelin anti-tank missiles in service with the French Army and special forces from 2017. Taking into account the battle experience gained from recent conflicts in which the French Army has been engaged, MMP is a response to the demands that have been expressed in terms of required capabilities: firing from confined spaces, “fire-and-forget”, and self-guidance with a “man-in-the-loop” facility.
Characteristics
- Weight (incl. Tube) : 15 kg
- Length : 1.3 m in tactical canister
- Diameter : 140 mm
- Range : 4.000 m
-x-
With a significant presence in five European countries and within the USA, in 2015 MBDA achieved a turnover of € 2.9 billion with an order book of € 15.1 billion. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems.
MBDA is the only European group capable of designing and producing missiles and missile systems that correspond to the full range of current and future operational needs of the three armed forces (land, sea and air). In total, the group offers a range of 45 missile systems and countermeasures products already in operational service and more than 15 others currently in development.
MBDA is owned jointly by Airbus Group (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%), and Leonardo-Finmeccanica (25%).
