SHORTS Missile Systems (SMS) of Belfast has been awarded $12.9 million by the United States army to continue tests on its Starstreak missile.

SMS is a joint venture between Short Brothers and Thomson CSF of France. The company has already spent 17 months on the first phase of testing the missile at a cost of $6 million and expects to spend almost two more years to complete the assessment. It is carrying out the testing jointly with Lockheed Martin Electronics & Missiles and McDonnell Douglas Helicopter systems.

The tests are to evaluate the Starstreak missile as a potential air-to-air weapon for the Apache helicopter. If they are successful there is a long-term potential market of $1 billion for Shorts because the US has 800 Apache helicopters and the British Ministry of Defence has ordered 69 of the aircraft.

But US orders would depend on how many aircraft the American army wants to aim with the missile system. Britain already uses the Starstreak system as an air-to-ground missile and the latest tests are to assess whether it can be used to defend the Apache against attacking aircraft.

Starstreak is a laser-guided three dart missile developed by Shorts. It is a short-range high velocity system whereby the three darts detach from the aircraft when the motor on the missile reaches maximum velocity.

According to Shorts there is no equivalent system in operation.