Marte missile tested on C295

Airbus Military of Spain and France's MBDA have completed tests to validate integration of the Marte MK2/S anti-ship missile on C295 maritime patrol aircraft. In the testing, the anti-ship missile by MBDA, which weighs about 685 pounds and which is 12.6 feet long, was installed under the aircraft's wings and released. "The installation of weapons under the wings provides new operational capabilities to the C295 MPA, allowing the aircraft to perform new missions demanded by customers," Airbus Military said. "This successful trial provides further proof of the operational versatility of the Marte missile and clearly establishes it as the benchmark weapon in the medium weight anti-ship missile sector." The C295 is a twin-engine turboprop with a cruise speed of 300 miles per hour. In anti-submarine warfare role, it is already in-service carrying the MK46 torpedo. The Marte Mk2/S is a fire-and-forget, all-weather, medium-range, sea-skimming anti-ship weapon system. It is equipped with inertial mid-course guidance and radar homing terminal guidance and is in service with Italian navy helicopters. MBDA is owned by BAE Systems of Britain, EADS of the Netherlands and Finmeccanica of Italy.