ID 051306-N-9546C-001 U.S. Navy Photo by Quarter Master 1st Class (SW) David J. Conrad. Colour correction and sharpening by Rama, “A French Navy Panther helicopter lands on USS Decatur ‘s (DDG 73) flight deck while underway in the North Arabian Sea. On the 5 May, the Decatur joined a coalition task force led by French nuclear-powered surface vessel Charles de Gaulle (R 91), which is currently providing air support to U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan. Decatur is deployed to the region in support of Maritime Security Operations. MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations,” May 06. 2006, accessed June 1, 2018, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Panther-051306-N-9546C-001.jpg, Wikimedia Commons

On April 18, MBDA successfully conducted its second development test fire of its Sea Venom/ANL missile. The missile was tested from a Panther test helicopter at Ile Du Levant in southeast France. The Sea Venom/ANL is a joint venture by French and British navies designed for use against smaller, lighter ships such as fast attack vessels and corvettes. The missile is intended to replace the British Sea Skua and French AS15TT antiship weapons. It was previously tested in June 2017.

Related Links:

Second Trial Success for MBDA’s Sea Venom/ANL Missile, MBDA Press Release
MBDA’s New Anti-Ship Missile Makes Progress, AIN Online
MBDA Completes Second Trials Of Sea Venom/ANL Anti-ship Missile, Defense World