NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Paris, Ile de France, France, 2014/01/20 - On August 14th, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) performed the first firing of a “war shot” MU90 lightweight torpedo, a torpedo developed by the European Economic Interest Group EUROTORP formed by DCNS, THALES and the Italian company WASS - DCNSgroup.com.

Launched from the ANZAC-class frigate “HMAS STUART”, the torpedo detected, classified then engaged with its shaped charge• the submerged target, representative of a small-sized submarine.

Final milestone in a vast and long evaluation process
This combat launch represents the final step of an intensive evaluation campaign conducted over the last few years. Numerous exercise launches were performed to test the torpedo in different complex situations: in tropical waters, in very shallow waters (< 40m), over large distances (stand-off distance) and against submarines protected by countermeasures systems.

With a success rate of over 90% during the evaluation campaign, the MU90 demonstrated its capacity to successfully complete its missions regardless of the environment and scenario. This degree of success has allowed the validation of its acceptance in operational service within the Australian fleet.

The MU90 in “pole position”
These results offer new opportunities for the MU90 torpedo, which could also equip the Australian Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters. Indeed, the Australian Navy emphasizes the high performance level of this torpedo: “The MU90 torpedo significantly improves anti-submarine warfare performance of all the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) surface combat vessels. This weapon gives the RAN a long-range submarine engagement capacity that is unequalled by any other light torpedo”.**

Two new Navies also acquired the MU90 in 2013, which now brings to 8 the number of Navies equipped with this system worldwide.

* The shaped charge is a type of ammunition designed to penetrate armor plating.
** Extract from the official announcement of the Australian Ministry of Defence after the firing of a “war shot” MU90 lightweight torpedo on August 14th 2013”.

Agency / Source: Naval Group | DCNS Group

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