MBDA Sea Viper (Aster) integration (Principal Anti-Air Missile System - PAAMS)
UK (integration and operation); Europe (development by France, Italy, UK) · Development ongoing; £405 million revamp started in 2024 for a decade-long program. · £500 million (contract for Mid-Life Refresh of Aster missiles and CAMM integration, 2021); £405 million (revamp for Sea Viper, 2024); £300 million (Sea Viper Evolution upgrade, 2022)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchSea Viper is a crucial air defence system for the Royal Navy, protecting high-value assets. - Ongoing significant investment in upgrades (Mid-Life Refresh, Sea Viper Evolution) demonstrates commitment to maintaining cutting-edge air defence capabilities. - The system is a product of a successful trilateral European collaboration (France, Italy, UK).
Key engineering challenges
Integrating advanced Aster missiles (Aster 15, Aster 30, and future Block 1 NT) with the Type 45 destroyers' Sampson radar and command systems. - Enhancing the system to defeat ballistic missile threats. - Providing enhanced self and Local Area Air Defence, as well as Area Air Defence for maritime and land forces.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Royal Navy / UK Ministry of Defence
- Lead contractor
- MBDA UK
- Lead designers
- MBDA
- Project type
- upgrade / new capability integration
- Scale
- Integrated on Type 45 destroyers; utilizes Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles; Aster 30 Block 1 NT upgrade; capable of speeds in excess of Mach 4.
- Disciplines
- Missile engineering; radar systems; command and control systems; systems integration; naval architecture
- Standards & frameworks
- NATO standards for naval air defence systems.
Sources: MBDA: SEA VIPER (https://www.mbda-systems.com/products/area-protection/aster-family/sea-viper) - Think Defence: ASTER Surface to Air Missile (Sea Viper) (https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/docs/aster-surface-to-air-missile-sea-viper/) - Royal Navy: Work starts on decade-long £405m revamp for Sea Viper (https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2024/january/22/20240122-work-starts-on-decade-long-405m-revamp-for-sea-viper) - Naval News: UK Royal Navy to Upgrade Sea Viper / Aster Missiles (https://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsroyal-navy-merlin-mk2-helicopters/)