Italy Joins Franco-British Future Missile Program

Italy has joined the Franco-British Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) program.

The choice was revealed throughout a gathering on Tuesday between the Italian Minister of Protection Guido Crosetto and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu, La Tribune reported.

Authorities from the three international locations later signed a letter of intent for the challenge on the sidelines of the Paris Air Present the identical day, the French outlet added.

FC/ASW Program 

France and the UK launched the FC/ASW program in 2017 to exchange the Exocet and Harpoon anti-ship missiles operational within the British and French navies and the air-launched Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missile with the British and French air forces, beginning in 2028.

The following-generation missile program is presently pursuing two complementary missile ideas:  a subsonic, low-observable idea and a supersonic, extremely maneuverable idea.

“These ideas are to fulfill the necessities of France and the UK and can present a game-changing functionality to beat land-based and maritime threats, hardened targets and air protection methods, at very lengthy ranges and in more and more contested battle area environments,” MBDA said in 2022. 

Anticipated Options

The ramjet-powered MBDA missile is anticipated to weigh round 800 kilograms (1,763 kilos) with a payload of three 200-kilogram (441 kilos) and two 50-kilogram (110 kilos) warheads.

The warheads will have the ability to strike a goal collectively for a concentrated impression or be ejected from a lateral bay to strike a number of targets.