French Navy Tests NH90 with MU90 Torpedo

photo Marine Nationale

Sept. 10, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: French Navy; issued Sept. 6, 2013)

(Issued in French only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)

First Flight of the Navy NH90 Caiman with MU90 Torpedo

A new milestone has been reached in the framework of the operational introduction of the NH90 Cayman Step B into the French Navy: the first flight-test with an MU90 training torpedo.

This flight was carried out on September 5 by the NH90 detachment CEPA/10S, and marks the beginning of the technical and operational evaluation of this new capability, from land bases and from frigates at sea. Full system qualification by the manufacturer is scheduled for mid-November, allowing the CEPA/10S to finalize this assessment by firing a real torpedo by the end of the year.

The MU90 is a lightweight torpedo [1] for engaging the most powerful nuclear and conventional submarines, whether in deep water or near the coast. It can also be launched by F70 anti-submarine frigates, multi-mission frigates (FREMM), Horizon frigates, Atlantic 2 (ATL2) maritime patrol aircraft, Lynx helicopters and now the NH90 Cayman Marine.

The Cayman is a shipboard naval helicopter whose primary mission is to conduct anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions from the Aquitaine-class frigates (FREMM) and Forbin (FDA). It can also conduct maritime missions against terrorism, and support of a naval and maritime rescue.

[1] Mass of torpedo: 299kg, 317kg at launch with accessories; diameter: 324mm; length 2920mm.

photo Marine Nationale