Munitions

Marte Mk.2 anti-ship missile

Also known as
  • Marte Mk.2
  • MARTE MK2
  • Marte II
  • Oto Melara Marte II
  • MARTE MK2/S
  • MARTE MK2/N
  • Marte Mk2/A
  • Marte Mk2/S-A

The Marte Mk.2 is an Italian lightweight anti-ship missile family developed from the Sea Killer/Marte line and now marketed by MBDA for helicopter, aircraft, ship, and coastal-defense applications. Current MBDA material centers the family on the shared 310 kg MARTE MK2 missile, with the MK2/S serving fixed- and rotary-wing launch roles and the MK2/N adapting the same missile to ship launchers. The family uses fire-and-forget, all-weather sea-skimming flight with inertial mid-course waypoint navigation, active radar terminal homing, a semi-piercing high-explosive warhead, and impact/proximity fuzing.

Marte Mk.2 anti-ship missile, Anti-ship missile, Munitions
Image source: MARTE MK2/N - MBDA
Profile / Specs

Specifications

Weight
310 kg for the MARTE MK2/S and MK2/N missile
Length
3.85 m; MK2/N canister length 4 m
Diameter
316 mm maximum diameter
Range
More than 30 km for MK2/S and MK2/N
Speed
High subsonic
Guidance
Inertial mid-course navigation through waypoints with active radar terminal homing
Flight profile
Fire-and-forget, all-weather, sea-skimming
Warhead
Semi-piercing high-explosive warhead
Fuzing
Impact and proximity fuzes
Fire control
MK2/N datasheet lists lightweight fire-control equipment with 21 kg combined MMCU/MIU weight
Launcher options
MK2/N supports modular launcher configurations; MBDA describes single, twin, and quad launcher options and says a single launcher can be upgraded to a stacked twin without increasing deck footprint
Platforms
MK2/S: EH101/AW101, Italian Navy NH90/NFH90, and maritime-patrol-aircraft class; MK2/N: ship-launched systems for small and medium naval vessels
Designation Structure

Marte Mk.2 family labels are most useful when read as launch-environment designations rather than wholly separate missiles. MBDA says MK2/S and MK2/N share the MARTE MK2 missile, while later Marte ER is a derived third-generation Marte branch with a longer-range propulsion and mission package.

DesignationLaunch modeSource-backed distinction
MK2/SAir-launchedFixed/rotary-wing anti-ship system for naval helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft; MBDA lists Italian Navy NH90 and EH101 operational service.
MK2/NShip-launchedDirect derivative of MK2/S using the same missile, with modular launchers for new-build or retrofit naval vessels.
MK2/AFixed-wingSpecialist references describe a legacy fixed-wing Marte branch; current MBDA public Mk2 pages emphasize MK2/S and MK2/N.
MK2/S-ALight combat aircraftSpecialist references describe a proposed or development light-combat-aircraft branch derived from MK2/S.
Marte ERMulti-platform extended rangeMBDA describes ER as the third-generation Marte missile system derived from Marte MK2 and designed for helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft, fast jets, coastal batteries, and naval craft.
Variants

Marte Mk.2 designations mainly separate launch environments. MK2/S is the air-launched branch for helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft, and other fixed/rotary-wing platforms; MK2/N is the ship-launched naval branch using the same MARTE MK2 missile; Mk2/A and Mk2/S-A are fixed-wing and light-combat-aircraft branches recorded in specialist references; Marte ER is MBDA's later third-generation Marte missile derived from Marte MK2.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Marte Mk2/ALegacy fixed-wing branch

Specialist references identify Mk2/A as a fixed-wing-aircraft-launched Marte branch associated with Italian AMX naval-strike concepts; MBDA's current public Mk2 material centers on MK2/S and MK2/N instead.

Sources: Marte Mk2 - Deagel

MARTE MK2/SFixed/rotary-wing missile system

MBDA describes MK2/S as a medium-range anti-ship system for fixed- and rotary-wing launch, including naval anti-surface warfare helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft; MBDA also lists Italian Navy NH90 and EH101 service.

Sources: MARTE MK2/S - MBDA, 2018 MARTE MK2/S Datasheet

MARTE MK2/NShip-launched naval system

MBDA describes MK2/N as a direct derivative of the in-service MK2/S helicopter-launched system, using the same MARTE MK2 missile and modular ship launcher configurations for new-build or retrofit vessels.

Sources: MARTE MK2/N - MBDA, 2018 MARTE MK2/N Datasheet, MBDA Introduces Marte MK2/N at Euronaval 2006

Marte Mk2/S-ALight combat aircraft branch

Specialist reporting describes Mk2/S-A as a proposed or development branch derived from MK2/S for light combat aircraft, including M-346-class applications.

Sources: Marte Mk2 - Deagel

MARTE ERExtended-range derived family member

MBDA describes Marte ER as the third generation of the Marte family, derived from Marte MK2, with multi-platform launch options and range beyond 100 km.

Sources: MARTE ER - MBDA, MBDA's Marte ER missile is under delivery and looking for new customers

Carrier Aircraft

Forecast International's MB.339 Series entry links the Marte Mk.2 to the MB-339CD loadout.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
Aermacchi MB-339, Advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAermacchi MB-339Advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft

Forecast International says the MB-339CD was qualified to launch the Oto Melara Marte II anti-ship missile.

Sources: Aermacchi MB.339 Series

Timeline

Marte Mk.2 anti-ship missile Key Events

  1. Marte Mk2 enters Italian Navy helicopter service

    MBDA describes MK2/S as the latest version of the Marte MK2 missile that first entered service in the 1980s with the Italian Navy's SH-3D helicopter fleet.

    Sources: MARTE MK2/S - MBDA

  2. MK2/S development firing completed

    A development release reported a third pre-production Marte MK2/S firing from an Italian Navy EH101 at Salto di Quirra, completing the planned MK2/S development firing sequence.

    Sources: Marte Mk2/S Weapon System Completes Development

  3. MK2/N introduced at Euronaval

    MBDA introduced MARTE MK2/N as a ship-launched anti-ship system using the same sea-skimming missile as the helicopter-launched MK2/S.

    Sources: MBDA Introduces Marte MK2/N at Euronaval 2006

  4. Naval Marte launch qualified shipboard configuration

    A naval-configured Marte missile was launched at Poligono Interforze di Salto di Quirra, supporting shipboard operations for the naval configuration.

    Sources: Test launch for the Marte missile at Salto di Quirra

  5. Marte ER qualification completed

    Specialist reporting says Marte ER completed full-scale qualification in late 2021 after the fourth development firing, marking the later extended-range branch of the Marte family.

    Sources: MBDA's Marte ER missile is under delivery and looking for new customers

Media

Marte Mk.2 anti-ship missile Videos

Marte Mk.2 anti-ship missile Images

Marte Mk.2 anti-ship missile, Anti-ship missile, Munitions - view 1
Source: MARTE MK2/S - MBDA
Marte Mk.2 anti-ship missile, Anti-ship missile, Munitions - view 2
Source: Hangar of the Carabiniere (F593), Fremantle, 2017 (02).jpg
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Exocet MM38 anti-ship cruise missile, Ship- and ground-launched anti-ship cruise missile, MunitionsMunitionsExocet MM38 anti-ship cruise missileShip- and ground-launched anti-ship cruise missileThe Exocet MM38 is the original French surface-launched Exocet anti-ship cruise missile, developed by Nord Aviation and fielded from ships before later coastal adaptations. MBDA identifies MM38 as a fire-and-forget, sea-skimming design, while Falklands War sources document Argentine technicians adapting ship-launched MM38 missiles into an improvised shore battery that struck HMS Glamorgan on June 12, 1982.
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Sources

MARTE MK2/N - MBDAPublisher: MBDA | Note: Supports MARTE MK2/N as a direct derivative of the MK2/S system using the same MARTE MK2 missile, plus range, guidance, mission-planning, ship-launch positioning, and official image provenance for the product rendering. | Accessed: 2026-07-02MARTE MK2/S - MBDAPublisher: MBDA | Note: Supports MK2/S role, dimensions, platform list, Italian Navy NH90/EH101 service, 1980s SH-3D Marte Mk2 service context, and official image provenance for the product rendering. | Accessed: 2026-07-022018 MARTE MK2/S DatasheetPublisher: MBDA | Note: Supports MK2/S technical specifications, warhead and fuze details, speed, sea-skimming flight, all-weather fire-and-forget employment, and operational-service claims. | Accessed: 2026-07-022018 MARTE MK2/N DatasheetPublisher: MBDA | Note: Supports MK2/N missile specifications, canister length, modular launcher options, 21 kg fire-control equipment weight, and shared MMCU/MIU architecture with MK2/S. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Marte Mk2 anti-ship missile | Missilery.infoPublisher: Missilery.info | Note: Supports the missile's Italian origin, development by Oto Melara, and entry into Italian Navy service in 1987. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Aermacchi MB.339 SeriesPublisher: Forecast International | Note: Supports the MB-339CD qualification to launch the Oto Melara Marte II anti-ship missile. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Marte Mk2/S Weapon System Completes DevelopmentPublisher: Deagel | Note: Mirrors MBDA release details for the October 2006 MK2/S development completion, EH101 launch trials, target ranges, and planned 2007-2008 Italian Navy deliveries. | Accessed: 2026-07-02MBDA Introduces Marte MK2/N at Euronaval 2006Publisher: Deagel | Note: Mirrors MBDA release details for the October 2006 MK2/N launch, same-missile relationship with MK2/S, vessel classes, launcher configurations, and target-designation options. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Marte Mk2 - DeagelPublisher: Deagel | Note: Specialist reference for Mk2/A, Mk2/S-A, Mk2/N, and Mk2/S designation splits, IOC/status notes, and warhead/range context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02MARTE ER - MBDAPublisher: MBDA | Note: Supports Marte ER as the third-generation Marte family member derived from Marte MK2, including multi-platform role and range beyond 100 km. | Accessed: 2026-07-02MBDA's Marte ER missile is under delivery and looking for new customersPublisher: EDR Magazine | Note: Specialist source for Marte ER qualification timeline, propulsion and seeker context, shared Marte Mk2-family warhead, and later family development. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Hangar of the Carabiniere (F593), Fremantle, 2017 (02).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: CC BY-SA 4.0 image page for a Marte Mark 2/S missile displayed inside the Italian frigate Carabiniere's hangar. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Test launch for the Marte missile at Salto di QuirraPublisher: AVIONEWS | Note: Reports a Marte Mk2/S launch from an Italian Navy EH101 and notes previous Sea King deployment. | Accessed: 2026-07-02