France Tests New X-Fire Long-Range Strike System for First Time

Thales has conducted the first live-fire tests of its new X-Fire launcher.

The system is being developed under France’s FLP-T (Frappe Longue Portée – Terrestre, or “Long-Range Ground Strike”) strategic program.

Thales is developing the X-Fire platform in cooperation with French armored vehicle manufacturer Soframe.

The system is based on an 8×8 wheeled all-terrain chassis.

The main goal of the FLP-T program is to replace the aging US-made LRU systems, which are a modernized version of the M270 MLRS.

The primary munition for X-Fire is the FLP-T 150 guided missile, developed jointly by Thales and ArianeGroup.
The missile is designed to strike targets at ranges of up to 150 km.

According to Thales, the multifunctionality of X-Fire allows the company to combine the task of creating a sovereign FLP-T 150 ballistic munition by the end of this decade with maintaining combat capabilities as current multiple launch rocket systems approach the end of their service life.

During the May tests, 68 mm unguided Thales X-Fum aircraft rockets were used for live firing.

The use of this training ammunition is intended to accelerate crew preparation during the program’s transition phase.

For the FLP-T program, MBDA and Safran are also developing a similar system called Thundart with missiles of their own design.

The French Army is pushing to hold the competition as soon as possible, as the existing LRU systems are scheduled to be retired in 2027.