June 4, 201213 yr From Aviation Week [excerpt] Mobile Air-Defense Missile Options ProliferateBy Bill Sweetman, Michael Fabey, Christina Mackenzie Source: Defense Technology International June 01, 2012 ... France accomplished a testing first on April 4 by using the Aster and radar systems on two Horizon-class frigates, Forbin and Chevalier Paul, to shoot down a GQM-163A Coyote supersonic sea-skimming target, supplied by the U.S., over the Mediterranean. ... ... The French were extremely surprised that the U.S. Navy itself announced the success of the April 4 trial, as they believe that the Americans have undertaken around 20 tests against the Coyote and have never announced anything. The French therefore interpret this as meaning that none of the U.S. tests have ever succeeded. The test was particularly challenging in that the missile launch was from Forbin (French authorities are not saying whether one or more Aster 30 missiles was fired) while the target was tracked from Chevalier Paul. CV32: I thought this part was particularly interesting.
Create an account or sign in to comment