German Navy's Submarine U33 Carried Out Successful Firing of IDAS Missile

Released on Thursday, May 29, 2008

The submarine missile IDAS (Interactive Defence and Attack system for Submarines), equipped with an optical wave guide, performed a successful test flight from the German submarine U33 of the state-of-the-art Submarine Class U 212A in the western part of the Baltic Sea on May 29, 2008.

During all phases of the test flight, IDAS showed a convincing performance. After adjusting the missile�s inertial system aided by the submarine�s navigation system, the missile was ejected from the torpedo tube. Under water it spread its wings and rudders and started its engine to penetrate the water surface a few seconds later and ascending to a pre-planned altitude to move into a controlled flight stage. Differing from an operative scenario, the test was ended in a controlled glide flight. During the entire flight, data and images of a video camera were transmitted to the submarine via the optical wave guide.

This test firing proved that IDAS can be employed from a submerged submarine. All mechanical interfaces proved reliable while data transmission via optical wave guide functioned smoothly.

High-ranking Navy officers from several interested countries witnessed the event as observers on an accompanying vessel expressed recognition of the German Navy, participating Bundeswehr centers and industrial companies.

Having proved a successful test firing from a submerged submarine, ARGE IDAS of Diehl BGT Defence, Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft and Kongsberg, in a joint effort with the German Navy as well as the Federal Office for Military Technology and Procurement, passed a further successful milestone in this innovative missile program � nine months earlier than foreseen in the contract.

The next steps in the IDAS project consist in drawing up outstanding phase documents and initializing the international development program.