Thales Puts a New Kind of Missile Launcher Through Its First Live Test

A missile launcher that can move between land and maritime platforms while operating remotely could give military units another way to bring air defense firepower into the field without putting more personnel at risk.

Thales UK has demonstrated the capability for the first time, firing a Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) from its new remote launcher during a live trial conducted this week.

The firing also put the company’s ForceShield UK command-and-control system through its paces, with its Agile C4I engagement control technology and multi-mission fire control system coordinating the launch.

Remote Firepower Across Multiple Domains

The launcher is being developed for short-range air defense (SHORAD) and surface-attack missions, with configurations designed for static positions, mechanized vehicles, and mounted platforms across land and maritime environments.

Thales sees the system as a way to deploy more affordable, expendable, and uncrewed firepower while reducing the exposure of military personnel.

The company is developing and testing the capability through self-funded research and development, with the work also supporting the British Army’s 20/40/40 vision for the future of short-range air defense.

Source: Drone Front