, With the launch of the third Marte MK2/S missile, MBDA has successfully completed the development of the anti-ship system for the Italian Navy.
On 2nd October 2006, the MBDA development team tested the third Marte MK2/S pre-production missile at the Joint Services Test Range in Salto di Quirra. The missile, equipped with a telemetry pack in place of the warhead, was launched from an Italian Navy EH101 helicopter in optimal weather conditions with the target, a barge floating off the coast of Capo San Lorenzo, 30km from the launch point.
A typical operational sequence was used for the launch. Once the target had been located by the helicopter radar, target data was passed to the missile prior to launch. After release, Marte MK2/S completed its boost phase and then transitioned successfully into sustain at 10 meters above sea level. Once the missile seeker had achieved target lock, successful guidance to target impact was achieved with high precision. The sea-skimming missile hit the barge at the height above the water line designated under the trial programme, thus successfully completing the mission.
The following day another test launch was carried out to further verify the performance of Marte MK2/S, this time in especially difficult conditions. The missile was launched directly by the Italian Navy
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