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French Navy Test Launched a MU90 Torpedo from its ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft

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Naval Forces News - France
 
 
 
French Navy Test Launched a MU90 Torpedo from its ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft
 
The French Navy released a picture showing one of its ATL2 (Breguet/Dassault Atlantique 2) Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) launching a MU90 torpedo. The MPA belongs to the Flotille (naval air squadron) 21F based in Lann-Bihoué (Britanny) and the trial was conducted at the French procurement agency (DGA) maritime test field in the Mediterranean Sea. The first even MU90 torpedo launch from an ATL2 took place in April 2011.
     
The French Navy released a picture showing one of its ATL2 (Breguet/Dassault Atlantique 2) Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) launching a MU90 torpedo. The MPA belongs to the Flotille 21F based in Lann-Bihoué (Britanny) and the trial was conducted at the French procurement agency (DGA) maritime test field in the Mediterranean Sea. The first even MU90 torpedo launch from an ATL2 took place in April 2011.
A French Navy ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft Launching a MU90 Torpedo during trial on 22/04/2015
Picture: DGA-CELM Landes
     

The French Navy operates 22 ATL2 maritime patrol aircraft in two "Flotilles" (equivalient to the US Navy's Patrol Squadrons): 21F and 23F. In October 2013 the French Ministry of Defence awarded Dassault Aviation and Thales a contract for the modernisation of 15 ATL2s. The upgrade will consist in a new radar, the Thales Search Master, new IFF, latest-generation digital acoustic processing subsystem, a new core system... The upgrade programme will improve the ATL2's ability to deal with new and emerging threats under all weather conditions, both in strategic deterrence roles and in asymmetric conflicts involving quiet and stealthy submarines, high-speed craft, land vehicles, etc. The aircraft will be equipped to remain in operational service beyond 2030.

The ATL2 can deploy Exocet AM-39 anti-ship missiles for anti-surface warfare, MU90 torpedo and sonobuoys for anti-submarine warfare. It can even deploy GBU-12 Paveway II laser guided bombs for attack against land target as its capabilities may also be used over land, where it operates regularly in support of French ground forces and special forces (as illustrated recently in operations over Mali or Iraq).

Result of a Franco-Italian cooperation, jointly developed with Thales Underwater System,DCNS and WASS within GEIE EuroTorp, the MU90 is the sole totally new lightweight torpedo in the world. Designed and built with the most advanced technology, it is capable to counter any type of nuclear or conventional submarine even acoustically coated, deep diving, fast evasive, deploying anti-torpedo effectors or bottomed in littoral areas. The MU90 design offers a top speed of over 55 knots, sophisticated target tracking and state-of-the-art stealth. The MU90 torpedo is in sevice in several countries including France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Denmark and Australia.