UK, France sign joint defense agreement, commit to ANL FASGW(H) anti-ship missile program

: Posted On Saturday, 01 February 2014 10:24

Naval Forces News - France, UK

UK, France sign joint defense agreement, commit to ANL FASGW(H) anti-ship missile program

The UK and France have agreed to strengthen defence cooperation following a Summit at RAF Brize Norton. A communiqué signed by the Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande sets out plans for closer ties between the two countries. Among other things, the two countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding confirming joint orders for the future FASGW(H)/ANL helicopter launched anti-ship missile.

The ANL (Anti Navire Léger / Light Anti-ship) also known as FASGW(H) (Future Anti-Ship Guided Weapon Heavy) is being designed and developed by MBDA.

The UK and France have agreed to strengthen defence cooperation following a Summit at RAF Brize Norton today. A communiqué signed by the Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande sets out plans for closer ties between the two countries.

FASGW(H) missile model next to a Lynx helicopter onboard a Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer
Picture: Navy Recognition

FASG(H) / ANL is set to be intergrated on AW159 Lynx Wildcat for the Royal Navy and NH90 and Panther helicopters for the French Navy.

According to manufacturer MBDA, the new weapon is a significant advance on both Sea Skua and AS15TT:
• Long Stand-Off Range providing helicopter protection from air defence systems
• The ability to select the precise target aim point
• The new seeker option will allow target information to be relayed via a two-way data
link to the operator.

This target data will enable the operator to make changes to the missile guidance during free flight
• Precision targeting both by night and day, using legacy onboard sensors
• A lighter weight weapon will increase the number of platforms on which FASGW-ANL
can be integrated

The new design will maintain some of the earlier characteristics of Sea Skua and AS15TT allowing current users to easily upgrade. By retaining compatibility with existing logisticfootprints this will result in the following benefits;
• Minor modification to existing ship storage and handling equipment
• Retaining high helicopter load-out
• Minimal impact on logistics and through life costs
• Low integration costs as existing onboard magazine arrangements can be utilised

Video: MBDA

UK, France sign joint defense agreement, commit to ANL FASGW(H) anti-ship missile program

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