Italy's Grifo test-fired and qualified with CAMM-ER missile

The Italian Army's Grifo air-defence system being tested and qualified with CAMM-ER. (MBDA)

The Italian Army's Grifo (Griffon) air-defence system has been test-fired and qualified with the Common Anti-air Modular Missile Extended Range (CAMM-ER) missile, MBDA announced in a press release on 8 May. The company said it was the first time the Grifo's Command Post and Engagement Module (Posto Comando Modulo di Ingaggio: PCMI) integrated with the missile launcher and CAMM-ER missile was tested-fired and qualified.

The test was conducted against a target drone simulating an attack by an enemy aircraft, confirming the defence capabilities and performance of both the missile and the entire system in an integrated mode, according to MBDA.

During the test, the PCMI detected the target drone, which was in attack mode, and then identified and classified the threat, evaluated how to defend against it, and ordered the launch of CAMM-ER to neutralise it. The trial also verified the correct functioning of the two-way datalink between CAMM-ER and the Grifo ground system, MBDA added.

MBDA is the design authority for the entire Grifo system and major subsystems such as the PCMI, which includes the company's command-and-control (C2) system integrated with a Rheinmetall Italia X-TAR3D radar, a Leonardo identification friend-or-foe (IFF) system, the launcher, and the CAMM-ER missile.

The Italian Army will operate the Grifo system, which will provide it with a short-range air-defence (SHORAD) capability with an extended range provided by CAMM-ER's new Avio motor. CAMM-ER is part of the wider CAMM family of vertically launched missiles, providing 360° air-defence coverage.