The Philippine Navy on Thursday announced that it has successfully tested its first missile system in the vicinity of Lamao Point, Bataan. The Spike ER missile system was tested onboard a multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) and accurately hit the designated target at approximately six kilometers away. The target was hit dead center even if the sea state condition was moderately rough with a wave of at least one meter high but within the normal firing conditions of the missile. The short video of the actual test launch showing how the missile successfully hit the floating target.
Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, Navy chief, together with other senior officers and Defense Acquisition Office representatives, witnessed the historic missile live fire testing on board an MPAC. Teams from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. and the Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee of the Department of National Defense oversaw the test firing activity. The Spike ER short-range missiles were delivered to the Philippines from Israel last April. The round of tests conducted in Bataan included sea acceptance tests (SAT) for the Mini Typhoon Machine Gun Systems and the Spike-Extended Range Missile Launching System. The SAT is necessary to test, inspect and accept the weapons based on the Philippines’ contract with Israel.
Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has delivered Spike-ER short range surface-to-surface missiles, Typhoon MLS-ER missile launchers, and Mini Typhoon 12.7mm Remote Control Weapon Systems to the Philippine Navy (PN) to be deployed from the service’s newest multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC). This would be an important milestone for the Philippine Navy as it marks its entrance to the missile age, with the Spike-ER being its first surface-to-surface missile system.
Typhoon MLS-ER is a complete Naval Missile System. The system includes Spike-ER missiles, launchers, an Electro Optical director and a fire control system. The light-weight, stabilized system can be installed on a variety of platforms, ranging from Rigid Hull Inflated Boats (RHIBs) to larger boats and ships. Spike ER is an electro-optically guided multipurpose missile for ranges of up to 8 km with pinpoint accuracy. SPIKE ER Missile Weapon System is a Multi-purpose Missile system for operation in ranges upto 8 km. The light weight of the SPIKE ER Round (only 34 kg) enables mounting on any light helicopter as well as heavier attack helicopters.
Source Inquirer.net
