MBDA's Teseo Mk 2/E long-range anti-ship missile system from a display at Euronaval 2024. (Richard Scott/NAVYPIX)
MBDA Italia has confirmed the first test firing of the latest upgrade of the Italian Navy's Teseo Mk2 anti-ship missile.
Announcing the test at the Euronaval 2024 exhibition, held in Paris from 4 to 7 November, the company said that the 14 October firing had successfully validated the revised aerodynamics of the new Teseo Mk 2/E variant and the missile's new axial booster motor.
MBDA Italia was contracted to develop the Teseo Mk 2/E in 2020, building on definition and risk reduction activity dating back to 2018. A multimission upgrade of the existing Mk 2/A missile, the Mk 2/E modification package serves to extend range (>350 km) and introduce a land-attack capability into the missile.
Key features include a dual-mode seeker (using both active electronically scanned array radar and an electro-optical sensor), a new mission planning system, 4D waypointing (space/time) with programmable time-on-target, and a two-way datalink (enabling full control throughout flight via satellite communications).
According to MBDA Italia, the first firing, performed in conjunction with the Italian Navy on an undisclosed range, “validated the design of the new elements of the missile and confirmed the results of wind tunnel testing of the missile's new aerodynamics”. The company added that full qualification of the new airframe and the new propulsion system is expected next year, paving the way for a potential production contract during 2025.
For more information on the Italian navy and anti-ship missile developments, please seeFirst full combat multi-purpose patrol ship delivered to Italian NavyandStrike hard and low: SSGWs evolve for a new ASuW threat environment .
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