On 2 June the new ESSM (Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile) control capability on board of the Hellenic Navy’s HS Salamis of the Hydra class proved to be successful.

In the Live Firing Test, the Thales STIR fire control system guided the ESSM missile with such accuracy to an IRIS drone at a range of approximately 5 NM, that the missile fully hit the drone. This test demonstrates once again the high level of accuracy provided by Thales systems and the experience Thales possesses with controlling ESSM missiles.

In May 2007 Thales was awarded a contract by the NATO SeaSparrow Project Office to upgrade the SeaSparrow FCS on board of the Hydra class frigates of the Hellenic Navy to an ESSM-capable FCS, and to act as system integrator for this project incl. the re-integration of the modified GMVLS Mk48.

The selection of Thales as system integrator was a logical one, as the Hydra class vessels are already equipped with the Thales Combat Information System, one MW08 surveillance radar and two Thales STIR weapon control systems per ship. The Hydra class vessels were commissioned between 1992 and 1998 and consist of four frigates displacing about 3400 tons each.

Following the Live Firing Test on HS Salamis the other three ships of the Hydra Class will be upgraded in 2008 and 2009. The Hellenic Navy is the fourth Navy Thales has supplied with ESSM capabilities. The other three are the Canadian, German and Netherlands Navies