Success for the second development test of the Anglo-French Sea Venom / ANL missile

(To MBDA)
31/05/18

The missile Sea VenomMBDA's / ANL successfully completed the second development test with a launch from a French helicopter Panther of the ADI (Direction Générale de l'Armement) in Ile Du Levant, in south-eastern France.

The launch, which took place on 18 April 2018, highlighted the capabilities of lock-on missile after launch (LOAL). It also confirmed the low-altitude and grazing flight performancesea-skimming), the effectiveness of the data link between missile and helicopter and the autonomous driving performance using the images of its infrared seeker.

Sea Venom/ ANL is part of an Anglo-French program linked to Lancaster House treaty signed between the United Kingdom and France in November 2010 and has a "fire and forget" mode along with the ability of the "above the loop" operator to maintain control throughout the entire missile trajectory. It is designed for use on the widest range of platforms; in the United Kingdom the missile will be used on the AW159 helicopter Wildcat, while in France it will equip the future light helicopter (HIL - Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger).

Il Sea Venom/ ANL is designed to enable fleet helicopters from both countries to address a variety of threats, including patrol boats, corvettes and coastal targets.

(photo: DGA)