Lightweight Precision Guided Munition for Demanding Applications
In June, the prototype Thales BAT-120 GL laser-guided lightweight precision munition achieved its first guided firing.
Launched from a French Air Force MIRAGE-2000D at the Biscarosse test range, this was the first opportunity to test the BAT-120 GL prototype guided by a trajectory correction system derived from the laser-guided rocket developed by Thales. The munition was launched from the aircraft and corrected its trajectory in flight as anticipated in the test protocol.
BAT-120 GL is a lightweight (35 kg) munition that offers operators a highly effective, precision-guided weapon ideally suited to modern conflict situations, particularly in urban environments. The key operational requirement is to reduce to a zero level the risk of collateral damage, while increasing the weapon carriage capacity of combat aircraft. This concept allows the carriage of a wider variety and great number of munitions that has been the case to date.
Testing of the BAT-120 GL prototype will continue shortly with a guided firing of a metric-precision munition.