HUNTSVILLE, AL – MBDA Incorporated’s GBU-44/E Viper Strike munition launched from a Cessna Caravan test aircraft scored direct hits against high-speed vehicles in a recent two-day test. During a U.S. government-sponsored test at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, Viper Strike successfully hit eight vehicles travelling at extremely high speeds in varying realistic scenarios.

“This proven high-speed target attack capability is a game changer for warfighters that need to hit very fast vehicles with great precision and from any direction of attack,” said Tom Bien, Viper Strike’s Program Manager. Viper Strike has been used in combat by both manned and unmanned aircraft, and will deploy next on the U.S. Marine Corps’ KC-130J Harvest HAWK aircraft. Viper Strike is launched from a common launch tube that can be carried either internally or externally from the host aircraft, helicopter or UAV.

Viper Strike is a glide munition capable of precisely hitting targets from extended stand-off ranges using GPS-aided navigation and an end-game, semi-active laser seeker. Its small, 44-lb. highly agile airframe and quiet attack profile provide a covert launch and low collateral damage effects against stationary and high-speed moving targets. Using Viper Strike’s new fast-attack software, the weapon has proven that it can be quickly employed against moving targets by both air-designated and ground-designated targets.

Viper Strike is in production at MBDA Incorporated’s Huntsville, Alabama facility. Jerry Agee, President and CEO of MBDA Incorporated said, “Viper Strike is performing exceptionally well in test and combat environments. We’re pleased to get this weapon in the hands of our warfighters to aid them against their most challenging, high-speed targets.”

Notes to editors

With a significant presence in five European countries and within the USA, MBDA has an annual turnover of $3.4 billion and an order book of $15 billion. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems.

MBDA is the only group capable of designing and producing missiles and missile systems that correspond to the full range of current and future operational needs of the three armed forces (land, sea and air). In total, the group offers a range of 45 missile systems and countermeasures products already in operational service and more than 15 others currently in development.

MBDA is jointly held by BAE SYSTEMS (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and FINMECCANICA (25%).

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