An MBDA Aster 15 Naval surface-to-air missile was successfully launched for the first time from an operational platform on 30 October. The launch from France's aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, was the last trial prior to acceptance of the ship's self-defence system. In the trial, run by the French navy for the first time, the missile was launched from the starboard side of the Charles de Gaulle against a target which was entirely destroyed 6.1km (3.3nm) from the ship after an 8.8s flight. The trial took place in the Mediterranean.
Source: Flight International