By PIERRE TRAN, FARNBOROUGH, UK – MBDA has completed the critical design review of the future air-to-surface guided weapon (FASGW), known in France as the missile anti-navire leger (ANL), said Steve Wadey, managing director of MBDA UK, at the Farnborough air show.

The future air-to-surface guided weapon (FASGW), known in France as the missile anti-navire leger (ANL). (MBDA photo)

“We are very advanced in the assessment phase,” Wadey said July 20.

He said design work would continue on key subsystems while waiting for the signing of the full-scale development contract in 2011. The ANL is a cooperative Anglo-French program.

There were no signs the missile program might fall prey to impending defense budget cuts in Britain and France.

The new missile is intended to enter service in 2015 or 2016 to replace the Sea Skua missile on Royal Navy helicopters.

The missile company is also talking to AgustaWestland and Eurocopter regarding the physical integration aspects of the program.

He also said that the Aster missile, the principal anti-air missile of the Type 45 Daring destroyer, has completed salvo firing in the Mediterranean and is expected “to enter service very soon.”

The Royal Navy has all the elements needed to bring the missile system into operational service, he said.

The Aster missile is a cooperative program common to Britain, France and Italy.