When operated from ExLS or MK 41 VLSD, CAMM comes in a quad-pack arrangement which allows to store and fire 4 missiles from a single cell.
MBDA and Lockheed Martin have completed qualification trials for the Common Anti-air Modular Missile from the ExLS 3-cell launcher.
Lockheed’s Extensible Launching System (ExLS) is a low-cost alternative for integrating new missiles and munitions into smaller naval ships which uses the US defense firm’s Mk 41 Vertical Launching System design and electronics.
Smaller ships are unable to accommodate the larger 8-cell MK 41 Vertical Launching System. ExLS has also been designed to fit inside the MK 41 launcher to offer flexible, adaptable installations for larger ships.
MBDA’s Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) is the latest air defense missile of its class and has recently completed a successful series of firings by the Royal Navy.
The latest trials from the 3-cell ExLS were successfully completed in the UK at the end of 2017.
Joe DePietro, Lockheed Martin’s vice president of small combatants and ship systems, 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.”
Paul Mead, head of business development at MBDA, 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 pairing of CAMM with the 3-cell ExLS launcher is a natural choice, providing a flexible launcher solution available now for naval platforms to take advantage of the high performance air defence capabilities and compact size of CAMM with ExLS. Other MBDA weapon systems, compatible with ExLS, are planned for the future.”
May 9, 2018