The Brazilian Navy has successfully conducted a firing trial of an Exocet MM40 missile aboard the Inhaúma-class multi-purpose corvette, Barroso (V34), marking the country’s capability in the development of anti-ship missile motors.
During the test, the missile was equipped with an Avibras-produced motor and its new flight propellant demonstrated and validated its maximum performance of the missile over maximum range.
Brazilian Navy commander admiral Julio Soares de Moura Neto said: "This test marks one of the great successes of recent times for the Brazilian Navy."
The demonstration is part of a €30m Exocet MM40 missile renovation and operational maintenance programme for Brazil.
Avibras CEO Sami Youssef Hassuani added: "I welcome the success of this firing exercise, which reinforces the cooperation between our government and both national and international companies as well as the way it opens up new markets to the companies involved in the programme."
The missile warhead was replaced with a Mectron-built telemetry unit during the trials, to provide real-time measurement of all the relevant parameters of the fired missile, such as velocity, pressure and cruise trajectory.
Also involved in the demonstration were the Brazilian Navy’s two frigates and three helicopters, installed with interconnected monitoring devices to cover the deployment area.
In addition, the test validated Exocet MM40 missile propulsion technology and the possibility of carrying out series production in addition to cooperation between technical and personnel involved.
Developed in partnership with MBDA, the Avibras motor on the missile can also be used on foreign and national missiles.
The missile travels at a maximum speed of Mach 0.93 while carrying 165kg warhead for a maximum range of 70km and uses inertial and active radar guidance system.
Image: The Exocet MM40 missile being fired trial from Inhaúma-class multipurpose corvette, Barroso (V34). Photo: courtesy of MBDA.
Image: The Exocet MM40 missile being fired trial from Inhaúma-class multipurpose corvette, Barroso (V34). Photo: MBDA.
