Full Report
The launcher that can fire laser-guided rockets, small missiles, and more has emerged on a Mistral class amphibious assault ship. The post France’s Modular Rampart Point Defense Launcher Has Gone To Sea appeared first on TWZ.
Analysis Summary
# Morning News Roll-up September 22, 2026
## Overview
Today's report highlights significant advancements in naval point defense systems and the proliferation of modular, cost-effective technologies designed to counter the asymmetric threat of uncrewed systems (drones) and small craft. The primary focus is the deployment of France's new Rampart modular launcher, signaling a shift toward adaptable, multi-effector defense platforms for high-value naval assets.
## Top Stories
### France’s Modular Rampart Point Defense Launcher Has Gone To Sea
- Summary: The French Navy has begun sea trials of Naval Group’s "Rampart" modular launcher (formerly MPLS) aboard a *Mistral* class amphibious assault ship. The system is designed to address the "asymmetric cost" problem by using interchangeable modules capable of firing high-volume, low-cost laser-guided rockets (Thales 68mm/70mm) or heavier short-range missiles like the Mistral or Martlet (LMM). The system aims to protect capital ships against swarms of inexpensive uncrewed systems and small boat threats.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/sea/frances-modular-rampart-point-defense-launcher-has-gone-to-sea
### Royal Navy’s Sea Launch Of Combat-Proven Nyan Kamikaze Drone Points To Fleet’s ‘Hybrid’ Future
- Summary: The Royal Navy has conducted sea-based launch trials of the Nyan kamikaze drone, a platform with established combat history. This development indicates an increasing trend in western navies to integrate one-way attack (OWA) munitions into standard fleet operations, moving toward a "hybrid" naval warfare model that blends traditional ship capabilities with expendable, long-range uncrewed strike assets.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/news-features/royal-navys-sea-launch-of-combat-proven-nyan-kamikaze-drone-points-to-fleets-hybrid-future
### Inspired By Ukraine War, Europe Is Developing Shahed-Style One-Way Attack Drones
- Summary: Drawing direct lessons from the conflict in Ukraine, European defense contractors are accelerating the development of long-range, low-cost one-way attack drones similar to the Iranian-designed Shahed series. These efforts aim to provide European forces with a mass-producible, deep-strike capability that can overwhelm enemy air defenses through saturation at a fraction of the cost of traditional cruise missiles.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/air/inspired-by-ukraine-war-europe-is-developing-shahed-style-one-way-attack-drones
***
# Main Topic
Deployment and at-sea testing of the **Naval Group Rampart Modular Point Defense Launcher**, a multi-purpose system designed to counter uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), small boat swarms, and missile threats using a variety of interchangeable guided effectors.
## Key Points
- **System Architecture:** The Rampart (formerly MPLS) utilizes a modular design with four interchangeable ammunition modules, allowing for rapid reconfiguration based on the threat environment.
- **Cost-Efficiency:** Focuses on using inexpensive laser-guided rockets (LGRs) to engage low-cost drones, preserving high-end interceptors for more sophisticated threats.
- **Deployment:** First observed aboard a *Mistral* class amphibious assault ship off Toulon in September 2026; scheduled for the "Wildfire" counter-drone exercise in October 2026.
- **Versatility:** Capable of firing 68mm and 70mm laser-guided rockets, short-range missiles (Martlet/LMM, Mistral), and decoys.
## Threat Actors
- **Asymmetric Opponents:** Non-state actors or nation-states utilizing low-cost uncrewed systems (UAS/USVs) for saturation attacks.
- **Campaign Relevance:** The system is a direct response to recent maritime TTPs observed in the Red Sea and Black Sea, where inexpensive drones have been used to target high-value naval vessels.
## TTPs
- **Saturation Defense:** Using high-capacity modules (up to 80 rockets per launcher) to defeat swarm attacks.
- **Precision Engagement:** Employment of laser guidance for sub-missile-sized effectors to ensure high probability of kill against small, maneuvering targets.
- **Modular Reloading:** Swapping entire weapon modules to change ship capabilities from air defense to surface engagement or soft-kill (decoys) without major dry-docking.
## Affected Systems
- **Platforms:** *Mistral* class amphibious assault ships (initial testbed); applicable to large surface combatants and potentially smaller patrol vessels.
- **Weapons Integrated:**
- Thales 68mm / 70mm laser-guided rockets.
- Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) / Martlet.
- Mistral surface-to-air missiles.
## Mitigations
- **Layered Defense:** Rampart serves as a Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) layer to augment existing long-range air defenses.
- **Counter-UAS (C-UAS):** Specifically optimized for the destruction of Grade I and II uncrewed systems.
- **Sensor Integration:** The system is designed to be integrated into the ship’s existing Combat Management System (CMS) for automated threat detection and engagement.
## Conclusion
The emergence of the Rampart launcher highlights a critical pivot in naval warfare: the transition from "few and expensive" interceptors to "many and modular" effectors. As threat actors increasingly leverage inexpensive loitering munitions and drone swarms, systems like Rampart are essential for maintaining the survivability of large naval assets without exhausting munitions budgets. Further monitoring of the "Wildfire" exercise results is recommended to assess the system's effectiveness in complex electronic warfare environments.