French Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle test fire Aster 15 missile

: Posted On Tuesday, 03 April 2012 19:16

Naval Forces News - France

French Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle test fire Aster 15 missile

As part of the rise to power of the carrier battle group, 29 March 2012, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle conducted a test firing of Aster 15 missile while underway in the Mediterranean.

This is the eighth such firing in the history of the R91 aircraft carrier. The last launch of Aster 15 took place on February 17, 2010.

MBDA Aster 15 surface to air missile is launched from Charles de Gaulle carrier
(All pictures: French Navy/Marine Nationale)

The objective of the test firing was to check the status of live ammunition, the proper functioning of the SAAM weapon system and train the crew in the handling and implementation of such weapon.

The target was engaged more than ten kilometers from the aircraft carrier, the target drone tug which simulated an aircraft from the flight wing in difficulty was spared.