PARIS, June 21 (UPI) -- European missile-maker MBDA has started integration testing of its Missile Moyenne Portee, a medium range missile being developed for the French Army.
The MMP ground combat missile, developed with company funds, is expected to be available for use in 2017.
Integration testing follows tests to validate the systems critical equipment under a risk-reduction contract from the French military procurement agency DGA. In those tests, the capability of the missile's non-cooled infrared seeker to guide it to a target in "fire-and-forget" mode and the electro-optical performance in the system's firing station were confirmed.
"Tests with the warhead against the latest generation of explosive reactive armor have been successfully carried out," MBDA said. "New trials were also able to start in recent weeks to verify the weapon's behavior in its anti-infrastructure mode to finalize development of the multifunctional warhead."
When deployed, the MMP will be integrated on CT-40 canon turrets on armored vehicles.
