The Malaysian Armed Forces currently field a number of MBDA weapon systems and, based on these previous successes, the European missile house is exhibiting a range of weapons at LIMA 2015. Among them is the Sea Venom anti-ship missile and Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) air defence system.
MBDA believes the Sea Venom, formerly known as the Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW), is an ideal replacement for Sea Skua anti-ship missiles already serving on Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) AgustaWestland Super Lynx helicopters. The Sea Venom was designed to meet British and French requirements for a helicopter-launched, stand-off weapon against maritime and land targets in blue-water and littoral environments.
The Sea Venom can engage targets autonomously, or alternatively a two-way link allows an operator to retain control of the missile throughout flight. The 100kg Sea Venom keeps its predecessor’s dimensions, allowing compatibility with existing magazines. MBDA stated, ‘as the Royal Navy is intending to deploy Sea Venom on its future AW159 Wildcat, should the Royal Malaysian Navy move towards this platform, a seamless transition with Sea Venom is assured.’
The Sea Ceptor, also known as CAMM, is MBDA’s replacement for the Seawolf air defence system. It has been selected by the Royal Navy, and Mati Hindrekus, MBDA’s marketing communications manager, believes it would fit the RMN’s requirements too. Malaysia’s two Lekiu class frigates that are currently fitted with Seawolf will enter a service life extension programme.
CAMM provides 360 degree air defence out to ranges greater than 25km. It does not require a dedicated tracker/illuminator radar, and can be cued by a ship’s own standard surveillance radar. The soft-launch system can also be used against surface targets. MBDA stated, ‘the weapon has already received significant interest on the export market, and has been ordered by both the Royal New Zealand Navy for its ANZAC frigates and the Brazilian Navy for its new corvette programme.’
MBDA has already received a letter of award to supply VL Mica surface-to-air missiles on the RMN’s future class of six Second-Generation Patrol Vessels (SGPV) based on the DCNS Gowind-class corvette. MBDA is also discussing the possibility of Malaysia using the Exocet MM40 Block 3.
With Malaysia still mulling its options under the deferred Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme, MBDA is additionally showing off a full suite of air-delivered weapons that can be used on both the Eurofighter and Saab Gripen. Both platforms will soon be receiving Meteor missile capabilities, while Brimstone is now being integrated onto the Eurofighter. Hindrekus pointed out that the Brimstone ‘has excellent performance against anti-fast inshore attack craft targets, which should interest the RMN given its coastline responsibilities’.
(Shephard)
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar