European manufacturer MBDA has successfully completed the qualification of its common anti-air modular missile (CAMM) following a series of trials.

The qualification trials were jointly conducted in collaboration with Lockheed Martin and involved the test firing of the CAMM missile from the extensible launching system (ExLS) 3-Cell stand-alone launcher.

The 3-Cell ExLS compact vertical launch system has been built by Lockheed as a low-cost alternative for integrating new missiles and munitions into naval surface combatants.

“A launcher within a launcher, ExLS uses CAMM canistered munitions with its qualified launch electronics to cut integration costs by more than 50%.”

Additionally, the ExLS launcher has been specifically designed to be suitable for smaller naval platforms that do not have the capacity to accommodate the company’s larger eight-cell MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS).

The solution can also be fitted inside the MK 41 launcher (ExLS Host) in order to provide a flexible, adaptable installation system for larger naval vessels to attain high combat mass with a small on-board footprint.

MBDA Business Development head Paul Mead said: “These trials have further demonstrated the maturity, reliability and safety of the CAMM vertical launch system from both 3-Cell ExLS and ExLS Host / MK 41, and follows the highly successful operational trials of CAMM by the Royal Navy in 2017.”

The CAMM is a highly compact, modern air-defence missile that allows for multiple weapons to be fitted into limited spaces.

The missile offers a quad-pack arrangement when operated from the ExLS or MK 41 VLSD, which enables the storage and firing of four missiles from a single cell.

Lockheed Martin Small Combatants and Ship Systems vice-president Joe DePietro said: “A launcher within a launcher, ExLS uses CAMM canistered munitions with its qualified launch electronics to cut integration costs by more than 50%.

“It is a mature design that when paired with CAMM offers a low-cost alternative for integrating new missiles and munitions into current and future surface combatants.”