French Navy Super Étendard Modernisé Fighters and ATL2 MPA in AM39 ASuW Exercise

: Posted On Wednesday, 23 September 2015 09:38

Naval Forces News - France

French Navy Super Étendard Modernisé Fighters and ATL2 MPA in AM39 ASuW Exercise

On September 12, 2015, two French Navy (Marine Nationale) Super Étendard Modernisés (SEM) carrier-borne strike fighters from Flottile 17F and one ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Flotille 21F launched some AM39 anti-ship missiles against training targets at sea. The launch from the SEM was simultaneous as you can see in the picture below.

This anti-surface warfare (ASuW) exercise validates the high level of training followed by the Flottiles crews and by the naval air station personnel. With expertise in the areas of air-sea control missions day and night, the Flotille 17F also provides fire support missions for the troops ashore with modern weapons like GBU49 GPS and laser guided bombs.

Two SEMs from Flotille 17F launch an MBDA AM39 Exocet anti-ship missile simultaneously against training targets at sea. Picture: French Navy

Until the transition of Flotille 17F from the SEM to the Rafale M in 2016, 9 SEMs will continue to perform multiple operational missions from aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. For their part, the crews of ATL2 engaged in Chammal (name of the French military operationin Iraq against ISIL) since September 2014 show that they remain faithful to their first vocations: ASW and ASuW.

The Exocet AM39 Anti-ship missile is in service with the French armed forces and the navies of 11 other countries. In January 2004, the French DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) awarded MBDA with the contract covering the development of both the Exocet AM39 Block2 Mod2 and the Exocet MM40 Block3.

In June 2007, the latest Mod2 development of the Exocet AM39 Block2 completed its final validation firing from a naval Rafale F3 combat aircraft. The firing also served as the validation firing for the Rafale in its F3 standard. The Mod2 evolution has seen the digitisation of Exocet AM39 Block2, an adaptation called for by the requirements of the latest generation of rotary and fixed wing aircraft such as the Rafale F3.

Exocet AM39 in action
(Video: MBDA)

The Exocet has an OTH (Over The Horizon) firing capacity and a range of other operational benefits including :
• low signature
• late seeker activation
• sea-skimming at very low altitude
• enhanced target discrimination and ECCM
• high penetrative power against modern naval air defences.

The Exocet AM39 can be launched from a range of platforms: fighter aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft and medium or heavy helicopters at stand-off ranges.