MBDA seeks heat.

Madrid is the name of the new strap-down infrared seeker developed by MBDA for the French defence procurement agency, the DGA. After issuing a request for proposals in 2001 regarding the development of a low-cost anti-surface imaging seeker, the agency awarded the contract to MBDA who delivered in April 2005 what it terms a <<modeb>>. The seeker has since passed the DGA's laboratory tests with flying colours. According to MBDA, the Madrid solution offers production costs savings of 20 to 30 per cent compared with more traditional designs. The Madrid seeker is being earmarked for the guidance of future weapons such as the MCT or the new-generation anti-ship missile, the ANL. Since the days of the Fire-streak, MBDA's (or rather its British side, then British Aerospace Dynamics) activities in the field of infrared seekers had been dropped. (MBDA)