MBDA reports SIMBAD-RC order

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PARIS, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- European missile manufacturer MBDA has won its first export order for its SIMBAD-RC naval air defense system.

The system was launched as a self-financed development project about a year ago and prototypes are in production.

The systems ordered, MBDA said, will be delivered to the unidentified customer in 2015 and eventually be installed on patrol vessels.

"The SIMBAD-RC program gives a clear demonstration of MBDA's ability to help customers unlock additional capabilities from their previous acquisitions," said MBDA Chief Executive Officer Antoine Bouvier.

"Building upon a market standard like the Mistral missile -- of which 17,000 units have already been produced -- we have developed a simple, highly automated system that largely extends the operational use of the missiles that are already in service."

MBDA, owned by BAE Systems, EADS and Finmeccanica, describes the SIMBAD-RC as a remotely controlled, very short-range naval air defense system against threats such as fighter aircraft, anti-ship missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Each of its remotely operated turrets holds two ready-to-fire Mistral missiles.