French Navy's Air Warfare Destroyer "Chevalier Paul" test launches Aster 30 surface to air missile

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Naval Industry News - France
 
 
 
French Navy's Air Warfare Destroyer "Chevalier Paul" test launches Aster 30 surface to air missile
 
Thursday, November 17, 2011, the air defense frigate (actually a Destroyer class in displacement) "Chevalier Paul" destroyed an aerial target flying at high speed using an Aster 30 long range anti-aircraft missile. This shot was intended primarily to validate the use of these missiles over very long distances.

With a length of 4.9 m and a mass of 450 kg, capable of speeds greater than Mach 4, the Aster 30 long range anti-aircraft missile has an electromagnetic seeker. It can be used against missiles or hostile aircraft and thus contributes to the defense of a carrier battle group or amphibious battle group. It equips the Horizon class frigates (used by France and Italy) and Type 45 destroyers (used by Royal Navy).
     
Thursday, November 17, 2011, the air defense frigate (actually a Destroyer class in displacement) "Chevalier Paul" destroyed an aerial target flying at high speed using an Aster 30 long range anti-aircraft missile. This shot was intended primarily to validate the use of these missiles over very long distances.
An Aster 30 surface to air missile is launched from the Chevalier Paul's VLS cell
(picture: French navy)
     
"Chevalier Paul's" sister ship the "Forbin" frigate in 2008 had enabled the integration of the PAAMS (Principal Anti Air Missile System) to the frigate following some test launches.