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Unmanned Mirach-40 shot by Italian ships
Author:Mariusz Dasiewicz
In February this year Polish Navy Italy first performed exercises using an unmanned aircraft-target: M-40 of Leonardo's production.
The use of Mirach-40 (M-40) was communicated to the public by Leonardo, who is responsible not only for designing and producing these flying goals, but also for storing and using them. This is a form of service provided to the armed forces of the Italian Republic on the basis of an agreement with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.
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According to the information provided, Mirach-40 were used to simulate the attack on Italian ships during joint maneuvers of all types of armed forces of that country. The object of the attack was a light Cavour aircraft carrier with AV8B+ fighters and a Mimbeli destroyer (type Durand de la Penne).
M-40 to a target that can simulate very different types of threats and objects. Despite small dimensions: 2.5 m long and wingspan 1.5 m, the machine can carry under its wings devices increasing its echo of effective radar reflection, increasing visibility in thermal imaging, smoke generators, dipoli and flar launchers, as well as simulating the work of the onboard radiolocator. Maximum payload M-40 is 15 kg and maximum take-off mass is 70 kg. The uniqueness of this BSP is to rely on the possibility of pretending to targets with very large dynamic values, but at a low price. Very good aerodynamics proved helpful. The speed M-40 may exceed 200 m/s and the maximum height at which it can operate is 8 km. Flight duration is 60 minutes. The drive is a single low-cost (civil sector) jet engine.
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During their first exercises, Mirach 40 faked anti-ship missiles that "attacked" Italian ships, as well as enemy fighters that clashed with AV8. During the drill, crews of ships learned to shoot down such targets with, among others, MBDA Aspide water-air missiles and tracked them with various ranges of onboard radars, thermal sensors and daylight cameras.
In addition to M-40, flying Mirach 100/5 targets were also used in the exercise, which simulated the fastest and most dangerous missiles and were "destroyed" with Aster 15 and SM1 missiles. Used for 20 years on similar commercial terms, they share a command and control station with the newer Mirach 40, which was presented officially for the first time in 2017.
Signature: Maciej Szopa.
