The tests, successfully carried out at the DGA's ETBS (Etablissement d'Experimentation Technique de Bourges) test site in central France, served to prove certain features of the system, namely operator safety as well as effectiveness over minimum and maximum operating ranges against stationary and moving targets.

The first test served to verify arming distance. Following a strike at a short range of 40 metres, the warhead did not detonate, demonstrating system safety and thereforethe benefits to the operator in such an event.

A second test demonstrated the missile's accuracy over the minimum engagement range of 150 metres. The front and main charges were both triggered with the correct lag time between the two events.

With the third test, the objective was to demonstrate system performance against a moving target at the maximum range of 3,000 metres. The missile followed perfectly the sight line which was slaved to the target.

MBDA Deutschland/LFK is responsible for the manufacture of the firing post whilst MBDAFrance is responsible for the production of the missile. Of important note is that the French DGA has acknowledged these successful test firings as part of the French evaluation processof this new weapon system. These tests constituted the final industrial firings prior to evaluation trials which will be carried out by the relevant state authorities.

"These successful industrial trials confirm the high level of reliability of the MILAN ADT-ER guided missile system. We are proud to offer our customers such a powerful system that can be deployed with such precision against a wide range of targets", saidWerner Kaltenegger, Managing Director of MBDA Deutschland/LFK and head of the multinational MILAN ADT-ERprogramme within MBDA.

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