Newest Milan Launcher Successfully Tested

Released on Wednesday, November 02, 2005

EADS/LFK has performed successful test firings with the new firing post Milan ADT. In October 2005, six firings were carried out with various missile versions (Milan 2, Milan 3) at stationary and moving targets at the ETBS test site at Bourges. At the same time, the guided missile system was also exposed to artificial jammers. These firings marked an important step towards qualification of the new Milan ADT firing post. Qualification is now expected to be formally announced at the beginning of 2006.

The scenarios for the test firings had been planned by the French DGA (Directorate General of the French Armaments Ministry), which, on the basis of a Franco-German frame agreement, is overseeing the further development of the Milan guided missile system with the designation ADT / ER (Advanced Technology / Extended Response). The industrial work is being carried out by EADS/LFK (for the firing post) and MBDA (for the missile) under contract to Euromissile.

The new digitalized firing post and the Milan ER missile, which is currently being developed and will have a new warhead and propulsion unit, will increase the system range of the Milan ADT / ER to 3,000 meters. All the other advantages of the guided missile system, which has been tried and proven in numerous international missions, such as its ability to engage targets without an infrared signature and its almost 100 percent jamming resistance, will continue to benefit the troops.

On the Milan ADT, the thermal imaging system for night and all-weather firings is integrated into the sighting system of the Milan system. Thanks to this feature and the complete digitalization of the firing post, considerable weight has been saved. The firing post, which has night vision capabilities and includes two missiles, weighs less than 45 kilograms. Thanks to the design of the thermal imaging system, which also has video output, the system can be operated via remote control. This considerably improves the protection of troops on missions. Various types of munition (Milan 2, 3 or ER) can be fired from the Milan ADT firing post.