The SIMBAD-RC is the “remote controlled” variant of the SIMBAD twin launcher system equipped with two ready-to-fire Mistral missiles, already in service with the French Navy and with several navies around the world.
Designed to be the main air defence system of Fast Patrol Boats and auxiliary ships or a complementary air defence system for corvette/frigate, the SIMBAD-RC is mounted on a stabilized launcher and remotely controlled from the ship’s operations room, where a single operator can control two SIMBAD-RC launcher systems.
The SIMBAD-RC allows the warship self-protection against a wide range of threats ranging from anti-ship missile to FIAC’s.
Started in 2011, the development of the SIMBAD-RC benefits also from a 4th Generation IR thermal sight, which enables passive detection and identification of targets at long range.
Communalities with the previous SIMBAD system infrastructures should allow an easily upgrade to the SIMBAD-RC standard.
Up to now, the SIMBAD-RC system has been ordered by two Navies for several dozen units.
Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA, stated: “The SIMBAD-RC programme is a perfect example of MBDA’s strategy aimed at developing land and naval systems at the cutting edge of technology, systems that correspond perfectly to the operational requirements of our customers while at the same time maximizing the efficiency of our missiles. The commercial success of this nascent programme serves as a welcome confirmation of this strategy”.
With a significant presence in five European countries and within the USA, in 2013 MBDA achieved a turnover of 2.8 billion Euros with an order book of 10.8 billion Euros. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems.
MBDA is the only group capable of designing and producing missiles and missile systems that correspond to the full range of current and future operational needs of the three armed forces (land, sea and air). In total, the group offers a range of 45 missile systems and countermeasures products already in operational service and more than 15 others currently in development.
MBDA is jointly held by AIRBUS Group (37.5%), BAE SYSTEMS (37.5%), and FINMECCANICA (25%).
