Matra BAe Dynamics has claimed success for the latest test firings of its ASRAAM dogfight missile.
In two test launches at Eglin AFB, Florida, missiles were fired from Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.
The first test in September was designed to gather vibration and seeker dome heating data, and check safe launch and separation at high launch speeds, in this case, Mach 1.6.
In October a second firing was conducted against a QF-4 Phantom target drone, which simulated the 'end game' of a missile engagement. The missile passed within lethal distance of the target and the company says a successful fuze trigger pulse was received, which indicated that under operational conditions a warhead detonation would have resulted.
Source: Flight Daily News
