The French General Delegation for Armaments (DGA) and French Air Force at Biscarrosse CELM (test launch of missiles) test site, test fired Aster 30 on July 3, 2008, as a part of evaluation of technical-operational system of ground-air medium-range land ( SAMP / T). This success represents a major step for SAMP / T and paves the way for deliveries of materials series at the Air Force provided at the end of 2008.

For test fire, the system SAMP / T was deployed in an operational configuration on the site of Biscarrosse of the DGA. It is for the first time, a fire system SAMP / T in coordinated fashion on appointment of external objective, provided a data link through the centre of detection and control (CdC) Mont – de-Marsan, located several dozen kilometers. This mode allows coordinated commitment and destroying targets at very long range. The aerial target, simulating a conventional threat air at high altitudes, was detected and acquired from distance. It was then intercepted and destroyed by the missile Aster 30.

The Franco-Italian SAMP / T, land component of the programme FSAF (family of surface-to-air future) is led by OCCAr (joint armaments cooperation). Ordered up to 15 copies (10 for France, 5 for Italy), it will be the first European system with the capacity to intercept ballistic missiles of Scud-type theater.

The Ground system of SAMP / T combines Arabel radar and missile Aster 30. The family of Aster missiles, designed and developed by MBDA, is based on a two-stage missile launched vertically and has a unique system ‘Pilotage en Force’ (PIF) fine-controlled side thrust exhaust for classic steering aerodynamic flight to force course correction by jet gas at the centre of gravity of the missile. The fire control radar Arabel is developed by Thales Air Systems, and includes an electronic scanning radar detection and ensuring the continuation of target of 360 °, with great precision.