Eurosam's Aster 30 short-range surface-to-air missile has scored a direct hit on a simulated low-flying supersonic missile at a range of less than 3.5km (2nm) from the firing unit. The test took place in December at the French national test centre in the Centre d'Essais des Landes, near Bordeaux. The Aster 30 has been used to attack targets from 3km to 80km, meeting the requirement of the armed forces to defend positions against terrain-following supersonic cruise missiles. The Aster 30, developed by Aerospatiale, Alenia and Thomson-CSF, is spearheading Eurosam's medium-range surface-to-air land and naval systems.
Source: Flight International