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MANSUP (missile family)

The MANSUP (Míssil Antinavio Nacional de Superfície, or National Surface ) is a family of developed primarily for the Brazilian Navy, comprising the baseline MANSUP short-range variant and the MANSUP-ER extended-range version, both designed for surface-launched precision strikes against naval targets with capabilities for land-attack operations. Initiated in the 1980s under the codename as a partnership between the Brazilian and Indústria Aeroespacial to replace imported systems like the MM40, the project faced delays but was revitalized in 2009 through a multi-phase development effort involving private Brazilian firms. SIATT (Systems and Instrumentation for and Technologies) leads the core development, focusing on systems, while provides solid-propellant rocket motors and structural components, and Omnisys contributes the AD40 X-band active seeker for . In 2023, the UAE's acquired a 50% stake in SIATT, becoming a strategic partner and co-investing in enhancements, including the turbojet-powered MANSUP-ER with Turkish Kale's KTJ-3200 engine; prototype tests for the baseline MANSUP from 2018 to 2023 validated sea-skimming flight profiles and jamming-resistant targeting, while ER development continues with planned completion by late 2025. The baseline MANSUP variant is a , -propellant weighing approximately 860 with a 150 high-explosive , achieving a range of 70 km through inertial augmented by an active seeker for all-weather, sea-state-adaptive attacks from warships or land-based launchers. It supports salvo launches and evasive maneuvers, with integration planned for Brazil's Tamandaré-class frigates and coastal batteries by late 2025. The MANSUP-ER, an upgraded family member, extends operational reach to over 200 km using a engine with a booster, measuring 5.6 m in length and 1 in weight, while maintaining the 150 and adding GNSS-aided , overland flight paths, and 17-minute for simultaneous time-on-target strikes against hardened targets. Notable milestones include the Brazilian Navy's acquisition of 16 MANSUP missiles in July 2025 for operational testing and deployment, alongside ongoing EDGE-SIATT efforts to the family to UAE forces and potential partners, emphasizing for air- and submarine-launched adaptations; as of November 2025, SIATT has announced further expansion into a broader family. This collaboration underscores Brazil's push for defense autonomy and regional influence in Latin American naval capabilities.

Development

Project origins

The MANSUP program originated as part of the 's efforts to achieve technological in defense systems, reducing reliance on imported weaponry such as the French missiles. Although early studies for a national began in the under the project—a between the and that faced financial and technical hurdles—the modern iteration was revitalized in the late 2000s amid Brazil's push for indigenous capabilities. This revival aligned with the 2008 National Defense Strategy, which emphasized reorganizing the national defense industry to develop critical technologies and promote self-sufficiency in strategic armaments. In 2009, the project formally launched under the name MANSUP (Míssil Antinavio Nacional de Superfície), previously conceptualized as MAN-1, with an initial allocation of approximately from the Brazilian government to fund , , and prototyping. This funding supported the Navy's Directorate of Weapons Systems in coordinating the effort, marking a key step toward equipping surface vessels with domestically produced munitions. The strategic impetus stemmed from post-2000s defense assessments, including the 2008 strategy, which highlighted vulnerabilities in foreign supply chains and the need for over-the-horizon strike capabilities to protect Brazil's extensive coastline and "Blue Amazon" maritime territory. Early development involved key national firms, including and Mectron, which handled initial design, technology transfer from international partners like , and prototype fabrication. SIATT joined in 2015, replacing Mectron amid Odebrecht-related issues, for advanced integration and testing phases, ensuring the program's focus on local expertise. These collaborations aimed to build a robust anti-ship system tailored for the Navy's frigates and corvettes, fostering long-term industrial growth without delving into specific operational details.

Milestones and collaborations

The development of the MANSUP missile family progressed through structured phases following its as a national initiative by the Brazilian Navy in 2009. Following the 2009 technology transfer from to and Mectron, detailed engineering work began involving these firms and others like Atech and Omnisys. A significant milestone occurred on November 27, 2018, when the Brazilian Navy conducted the first prototype launch of the from the corvette Barroso (V-34), successfully validating the missile's basic flight profile and integration with naval platforms. This test represented a key step in the qualification phase, demonstrating the system's surface-launch capabilities over the horizon. International collaborations gained momentum in September 2023, when the UAE's acquired a 50% stake in SIATT on September 29, facilitating joint funding, expanded manufacturing capacity, and technology sharing specifically for extended-range variants like the MANSUP-ER. In , the base MANSUP variant advanced toward qualification through a series of operational tests, including a launch from the Greenhalgh-class Rademaker (F49) in September, with full certification expected by late 2025. The initiation of the MANSUP-ER variant advanced further in 2025, with the announcement of integration of the Turkish Group's KTJ-3200 engine during the LAAD exhibition, enhancing the missile's range beyond 200 kilometers. In January 2025, the Brazilian 's Marine Corps successfully launched MANSUP in a coastal defense test, validating land-based operations. In April 2025, , SIATT, and the advanced to the next phase of MANSUP-ER development. The program's scale-up was confirmed in July 2025, when the Brazilian signed a with SIATT for an initial batch of 16 MANSUP missiles, enabling transition to serial production and operational deployment on surface vessels. This agreement underscores the collaborative framework's success in advancing Brazil's indigenous missile capabilities while incorporating international expertise.

Design

Airframe and propulsion

The MANSUP missile family employs a streamlined cylindrical optimized for aerodynamic performance and naval integration. The base MANSUP variant measures approximately 5.8 meters in length, with a body diameter of 344 and a launch weight of 860 kg. This includes folding wings with a span of 1.135 meters when deployed, enabling compact storage in shipboard launchers while maintaining during flight. The base model's propulsion is provided by a motor, which propels the to speeds of approximately 1,000 km/h. For the MANSUP-ER extended-range variant, propulsion shifts to a combination of a solid-propellant booster and the Turkish-developed KTJ-3200 engine, supporting sustained cruise flight and an operational endurance of 17 minutes.

Guidance and warhead

The baseline MANSUP employs an (INS) for mid-course flight, providing precise trajectory control and enabling over-the-horizon launches beyond direct line-of-sight targeting. The MANSUP-ER integrates INS with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) aiding for enhanced accuracy over extended ranges. This combination ensures reliable navigation in all weather conditions, with INS handling primary attitude and position updates while GNSS corrects for drift where applicable. In the terminal phase, the missiles transition to an AD40 X-band active seeker developed by Omnisys for autonomous , designed specifically for anti-ship engagements by discriminating vessels against sea clutter. The seeker is jamming-resistant, incorporating countermeasures to maintain lock-on efficacy in contested electromagnetic environments. The consists of a 150 kg high-explosive charge configured for and fragmentation effects, optimized to penetrate ship hulls and cause widespread structural damage through dispersion. It features an adaptable system supporting both impact and proximity detonation modes, allowing detonation on direct contact or at a preset height above the target to maximize lethality against or elements. To enhance , the MANSUP family follows a sea-skimming maintained by an onboard , flying at low altitudes to minimize detection and complicate interception by air defense systems. This adaptive profile adjusts dynamically to terrain or , supported by the missile's for sustained low-level flight.

Variants

MANSUP

The MANSUP (Míssil Antinavio Nacional de Superfície) is the baseline variant of the Brazilian family, designed as a short-range, surface-launched for engaging enemy surface vessels in littoral environments. Developed by the Brazilian company SIATT in collaboration with the Brazilian Navy, it represents a foundational effort to enhance national naval defense capabilities through domestically produced technology. With an operational range of approximately 70 km, the MANSUP is optimized for coastal and littoral defense operations, enabling surface ships and land-based systems to neutralize threats in near-shore scenarios without relying on foreign imports. It functions primarily as a missile, launched from naval platforms or land-based launchers to autonomously track and strike surface targets using a combination of inertial and active guidance for all-weather precision. The missile achieves transonic speeds of around 1,000 km/h via propulsion, allowing rapid engagement in dynamic maritime battlespaces. The MANSUP is compatible with vertical launch systems on surface combatants and land-based platforms, facilitating deployment from modernized naval assets and coastal defense systems. This configuration supports modular integration, enhancing the firepower of surface combatants and ground-based units in defensive postures. As the core model, it shares core and guidance elements with subsequent family variants, establishing a common technological backbone for . Production of the MANSUP underscores Brazil's push for technological , with handled by SIATT to leverage local expertise and supply chains, thereby reducing dependency on international suppliers.

MANSUP-ER

The MANSUP-ER is an extended-range variant of the MANSUP family, designed to enhance Brazil's naval capabilities for blue-water operations and potential land-attack missions. It achieves a maximum range of 200 km through the integration of a engine combined with a solid booster, enabling speeds of approximately 954 km/h and adaptive sea-skimming flight profiles suitable for engaging targets in open-ocean environments. This upgrade expands the missile's strategic utility beyond littoral zones, supporting surface-to-surface launches from warships or coastal defense vehicles. Physically, the MANSUP-ER measures 5.6 meters in length and weighs around one , accommodating the additional propulsion components while retaining the 150 warhead of the base design for high-impact strikes against . Improved fuel efficiency from the allows for an extended endurance of 17 minutes, facilitating longer loiter times or over extended distances. The missile's all-weather operation is supported by robust structural adaptations, including sea-state adaptive flight and on-board altimetry for low-altitude trajectories. Guidance systems emphasize precision and versatility, with primary anti-ship functionality provided by a jamming-resistant active seeker for terminal homing, building on the base MANSUP's seeker technology. For dual-role applications, it incorporates programmable (INS) augmented by GNSS for targeting coastal land assets, enabling flexible 3D waypoints, overland flight paths, and coordinated salvo attacks. This configuration ensures reliable performance in contested environments, with features like terminal maneuvers and simultaneous time-on-target arrivals. The design emphasizes , supporting future adaptations for air- and submarine-launched variants. Development of the MANSUP-ER, building on earlier prototypes tested from 2018 to 2023, progressed significantly from 2023 to 2025, marked by key collaborations to accelerate production and technology transfer. In April 2025, and its Brazilian partner SIATT secured ownership of the launch tube and combat head technologies through a licensing agreement with the Brazilian Navy, advancing the project into full-scale integration and testing phases. The turbojet propulsion was sourced from Turkey's Group, with the KTJ-3200 engine integrated to meet the extended-range requirements.

Testing and deployment

Trial launches

The initial trial launch of the MANSUP missile prototype occurred on November 27, 2018, from the Brazilian Navy Barroso (V-34), successfully confirming the missile's basic aerodynamics and (INS) functionality during a over Ocean. From 2019 to 2022, three additional prototype launches were conducted, progressively demonstrating key capabilities such as radar seeker lock-on to targets and low-altitude sea-skimming flight profiles to enhance survivability against defenses. A launch took place in September 2024 from a during Operation Weapons Launch IV/2024, validating the missile's integration with surface ship launch systems and its overall launch sequence from surface combatants. On December 17, 2024, the first land-based launch occurred from an ASTROS system of the Brazilian Marine Corps at the Restinga da Marambaia test center, validating ground launcher compatibility. Following the acquisition of the first batch of 16 production missiles in July 2025, three units underwent testing later that year, emphasizing terminal accuracy and impact against mock targets at ranges between 50 and 70 km to support certification for operational use.

Operational integration

The MANSUP missile family has been integrated into the Brazilian Navy's surface combatants as part of efforts to enhance anti-ship capabilities, with primary focus on the Tamandaré-class . Each is equipped with two ITL 70A B3 launchers accommodating eight MANSUP missiles, enabling rapid deployment in defense scenarios. This integration, building on successful trial outcomes, is scheduled for completion by late 2025, aligning with the commissioning of the lead ship Tamandaré following its sea trials. In July 2025, the Brazilian Navy signed a with SIATT for the acquisition of an batch of 16 MANSUP missiles, marking the of operational capability on surface combatants. This supports the outfitting of the Tamandaré-class vessels and establishes a foundation for broader fleet-wide adoption. As of November 2025, the missiles have not seen combat deployment but are undergoing operational familiarization within naval exercises. The collaboration with and SIATT has facilitated adaptations for naval platforms, including compatibility with existing fire control systems on Brazilian frigates. This partnership ensures that MANSUP variants meet the requirements of both and potential international operators, such as the , through shared development and technology transfer.

Operators

Brazil

The Brazilian serves as the primary developer and operator of the MANSUP missile family, maintaining full inventory control through production led by the Brazilian company SIATT. The project emphasizes technological sovereignty, with the overseeing development since its inception to equip its surface fleet with a domestically produced anti-ship capability. Procurements between 2023 and 2025 included an initial pilot batch of 10 missiles for testing and qualification, followed by a contract signed in July 2025 for 16 production-standard MANSUP units, bringing the total acquired (including testing units) to over 20 missiles. These acquisitions, valued at approximately $164 million in total development and delivery support, were facilitated through partnerships that accelerated finalization by late 2025. The missiles are assigned to the four upcoming Tamandaré-class frigates, each designed to carry multiple launchers for enhanced anti-ship defense, with integration planned upon their commissioning starting in 2025. Upgrades for older vessels, including the Greenhalgh-class frigate (a modernized Niterói-class unit), have already demonstrated compatibility through live-fire tests, enabling retrofit of existing launch systems. In March 2025, the Brazilian Marine Corps established a coastal defense capability using converted LMU 6×6 launch vehicles for MANSUP missiles. These efforts build on successful testing phases that validated the missile's performance across various platforms.

United Arab Emirates

The emerged as a key partner in the MANSUP missile program's development and acquisition through , a leading UAE defense conglomerate, which signed a with the UAE Armed Forces in November 2023 for an 1.2 billion (USD 327 million) order of MANSUP and MANSUP-ER missiles. This deal, formalized at the , marked the first major export success for the system and underscored the UAE's strategic investment in enhancing its naval capabilities against regional maritime threats. In September 2023, acquired a 50% stake in Brazil's SIATT, the primary developer of the MANSUP family, establishing a that facilitates and localized production for the UAE Navy. This partnership, originating from collaborations in the Brazilian program, enables the UAE to adapt the missiles for Gulf-specific operations, including integration into Ship Building's (ADSB) platforms. The MANSUP-ER is planned for deployment on the UAE's RABDAN FA-400 Fast Attack Vessel, with ADSB announcing integration efforts for its Fast Attack Vessel program in November 2023, and potential use in land-based coastal defense systems. At IDEX 2025 in , EDGE showcased the MANSUP-ER alongside a new coastal defense system incorporating the missile, highlighting its role in rapid, long-range strikes for UAE naval assets. First deliveries to the UAE are anticipated by 2026, supporting operational readiness in the region.

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