German missile demonstrates capability

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ÜBERLINGEN, Germany, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- A prototype guided missile designed to meet the German air force's future air defense needs has been successfully flight tested.

Diehl Defence said the test was conducted recently in South Africa and that its IRIS-T SL successfully homed in on its target.

"In this test against a drone carried out within the context of a so-called validation trials campaign, the entire target -- radar, fire control, weapon computer, data link functional chain ... was tested for the first time." The German company said.

"The aerodynamic shroud designed to reduce air drag separated from the missile at a distance from the target pre-calculated by the guidance computer, (and) based on the radar target data continuously transmitted via data link, the seeker was slaved to the target, acquired it and homed in on it."

Diehl said all test objectives were achieved.

The IRIS-T SL is a surface-launched missile and is based on the IRIS-T air-to-air guided missile used by German and other air forces.