European multinational missile developer MBDA debuts its new Man Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS) Very Short Range Air Defense (VSHORAD) solution for the first time at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK.
The system is under development for the Italian Army and ready to be marketed to export customers.
The new VSHORAD missile is a supersonic, fire and forget, all-day interceptor, equipped by a seeker with image processing capabilities.
It can target fighters, helicopters, small drones.
Its design is set to allow a smooth integration either on current VTLM2 by IDV with Leonardo turret, which is displayed on MBDA stand at the fair and on future vehicles, equipped by automated turrets.
Being man-portable, the VSHORAD solution will be suitable for paratroops and amphibious forces, while giving tactical advantage when mounted on military vehicles. The VSHORAD system will also be integrated in Sky Warden, MBDA’s modular, scalable, and evolvable flagship system to counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS).
The system is in development following an Italian Army operational requirement expressed last year for a very short-range man portable air defense missile. The system characteristics and performances are fully compliant with NATO standards.
Capitalizing on MBDA’s know-how in the design and development of air defense systems, the new missile will contribute to reinforce the company’s offer for a European multi-layer air defense capability, ranging from very short to the future Anti-Ballistic-Hypersonic Defense.
