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At Defendory 2006 Lockheed Martin displayed their Evolved Sea-Sparrow
and advanced versions of SM-2 while MBDA discussed weapon suite
for the FREMM, comprising of Aster-30 missiles, offering both
anti-aircraft and ballistic missile defense. An offensive weapon
option provided by the FREMM will be the deployment of SCALP
Naval cruise missiles, these are naval variants of the Storm
Shadow air launched cruise missiles, designed for vertical
launch from ships. Self protection for naval ships was also
a hot topic. Rheinmetall Defence introduced here a new and unique
array of weapons, sensors and countermeasures designed to offer
a vessel at sea or in harbour an effective protection suite
addressing all types of threats. The system comprises the FIRST
infrared scanner, which provides real-time early warning of
any threatening event, detected by its infrared imaging sensor
over 360 degrees.
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| Naval
surface ships operating in littoral area are required to engage
land targets with precision and lethality comparable to modern
aircraft. Such effects cannot be achieved with conventional
ammunition and therefore, require more advanced weaponry, including
guided missiles and ammunition. At Defendory 2006, Finmeccanica
displayed some of the concepts currently under development at
Oto Melara. These include a range of heavy (127mm), medium (76)
and small caliber gun turrets (40mm and below) designed specifically
for surface combatants. Two types of guided munitions were on
display, the Davide
RF guided projectile, designed to engage aerial targets,
including incoming missiles, by 76mm/62 caliber guns and the
Vulcano
precision guided munitions for the 127mm naval gun.

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