New Milan ER on the way: ironically, when in very recent years fire-and-forget missiles had become all the rage, it now seems that second thoughts are predominating due to the very different battle scenarios that have been taking place since the obliteration of the Cold War.

AA number of countries are currently looking into new-generation portable anti-armour missiles to replace their ageing inventories. The late-1990s/early-2000s saw the emergence of two fire-and-forget missiles that are looked upon by many as the ultimate weapon, as the firer can immediately leave his position after firing and let the missile recapture its target and destroy it. Recent conflicts have, however, brought about second thoughts, as in practice certain scenarios have shown that, while fire-and-forget missiles are ideal weapons in clear-cut battlefield situations, they have their limitations in urban and asymmetric warfare. While indeed fire-and-forget missiles offer an alternative direct-fire capability, they cost considerably more than their more conventional saclos counterparts and, almost by definition, do not provide any damage assessment feedback. Interestingly enough, reports indicate that many more earlier-technology saclos missiles have been used in Iraq by the American forces than fire-and-forgets (which would also tend to prove that longer ranges and the ability to aim at cold targets are still required), and have also relaunched the Sraw programme to meet urban warfare requirements.

This situation has prompted MBDA to embark on a European-wide programme that is open to a wide industrial co-operation with a twofold objective: provide customers with a powerful state-of-the-art system, and allow a smooth transition to modern equipment through reverse compatibility for those who already use an earlier generation system. This is a major economic consideration as it permits them use of existing stocks of missiles.

In the Milan ER (extended response), both the launcher and the missile per se are brand new, but as said above, new launchers can still fire older-generation Milan missiles. The launch post, an LFK development, is fully digital and features an integrated 3-5[micro] uncooled thermal Sagem or Aim camera with a video output. This is an interesting feature as it will ultimately allow remote control of a prepositioned station if delicate situations or tight ranges command. As before, the ergonomics of the post enable its operator to use it as a comfortable observation facility and to detect and identify a target at ranges of 4700 and 2600 metres respectively. The overall system is immune to any known jammer.

The Milan ER missile offers a 3000-metre range and much higher performance at altitudes of 3500 metres. Above all, it features a diabolically effective warhead from Ruag. The Swiss company has indeed developed a 146 mm calibre warhead, the new-technology molybdenum liner of which, as witnessed by the author during a firing test in spring 2005, can easily slice its way through 1.5 metres of rolled homogeneous armour, with potential for more. A 115 mm version of this is used in the Milan, enabling it to defeat one metre of explosively reactive, armour-protected, rolled homogeneous steel.

The defunct Trigat was often and justifiably criticised for its weight. The new Milan ADT launcher, however, is now only marginally (five kg) heavier than those of the fire-and-forget types, and the missiles, carried by a second man in any case, are of identical weight, which means that both are now on a par in terms of operational deployment.

The Milan ER is now in its final stages of development and, although it will be available in 2007, is due to be demonstrated in 2006.