Page 11 - ADT APRIL - MAY 2021 Online Magazine

Potent 2014 to integrate, test and install MBDA’s Sea [ ROTOCRAFT ]

Venom (heavy) and Thales LMM (light) missile
systems onto 28 Royal Navy AW159 Wildcat
helicopters, under a programme called Future
Anti Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW).
Performers Attack Mode

In May, the first successful firings of Thales
‘Martlet’ Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM)
took place from Leonardo’s AW159 Wildcat
helicopter, as part of the UK MoD’s FASGW pro-
gramme. The AW159 features a new Leonardo
MARITIME HELICOPTERS ARE DEMONSTRATING Weapon Wing, developed at the Company’s
INCREASING POTENTIAL AS FORCE MULTIPLIERS design and manufacturing facility in Yeovil. The
weapon wing can carry either ten Martlet or
two Sea Venom missiles and generates addi-
Atul Chandra tional lift for the helicopter in forward flight,
reducing demands on the main rotor. It was
Leonardo’s AW159 Wildcat helicopter has a well earned reputation first trialled last in 2020. As part of the FASGW
for punching well above its size and weight. A series of recent (light) part of the programme, the LMM, with its
demonstrations have showcased the AW159 Wildcat’s growing associated launcher and airborne laser guid-
potential as a force multiplier in modern battlespace scenarios. ance unit, have all been successfully integrated
The AW159 Wildcat will be the first British platform to feature the into the AW159 Wildcat’s sensor, displays and
Thales ‘Martlet’ Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) and the high- avionics systems.
end capability will enter service with the Royal Navy later this year.
Leonardo signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence in July Firing trials were conducted by Leonardo and

ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY April/May 2021 | 11