First firings of Asraam from F/A-18
22 Mar 2001
The first firings of Matra BAe Dynamics’ Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) from an F/A-18 have taken place at the United States Naval Air Warfare Centre - Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, USA.
The unguided firings, carried out between 1st November and 31st January, were part of a series of weapons separation tests by the United States Navy intended to clear ASRAAM for F/A-18 wingtip employment under a programme funded by the Royal Australian Air Force.
Initial analysis of all three firings indicated clean separations with no adverse characteristics, and planning is now under way for the next firing before the end of February.
“BAE Systems is delighted with these test firing results,” said Chris Watts, Marketing Director, Australasia, BAE Systems
“Once integrated onto the Hornet and in service, Australia will have the indisputable technological edge in within visual range missile capability in the region.”
The first flights of the ASRAAM on a RAAF F/A-18 Hornet were successfully undertaken in December 1999.
The US Navy is responsible for integrating ASRAAM onto the F/A-18 for the RAAF and for initial development testing. Further test and evaluation firings will be carried out in Australia by the RAAF’s Aircraft and Development Unit. ASRAAM has also been selected by the Royal Air Force to equip its Harrier, Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.
Issued by Corporate Affairs, BAE Systems Australia.
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