Tim Ripley
France has finally placed a $250-million order for 100 Apache AP long-range stealthy cruise missiles, allowing work to begin on the industrialisation phase of the eight-year-old programme.
The contract is a milestone in the programme, which will lead to the fielding of the first European cruise missile.
Matra BAe Dynamics is to build the missile in France.
Orders have also been received from Qatar for the weapon, which is designed to neutralise enemy fields with smart sub-munitions.
Its 140km (90 miles) range allows launch aircraft to stay safely outside the range of ground-based air defences, claims the company.
The Apache AP will be the first weapon in a family of cruise missiles being developed for the British and French air forces. The Storm Shadow is the precision guided strike version for the Royal Air Force, which is similar in capability to the French Scalp-EG weapon. The Apache IZ is a interdiction version. Germany is also being offered the weapon.
Source: Flight Daily News