The physical characteristics of Aster 15 & 30 are fairly well-known, & we therefore have a reasonably good idea of their engagement envelopes, & the area of protection they give to warships. But what of the land-based SAMP/T system, & the Aster 30 Block 1 & Block 2 missiles?
Block 1 is claimed to be capable of intercepting ballistic missiles of up to 600km range, while retaining the ability to intercept aircraft. It is expected to be test-fired for the first time next year. Developments to improve its performance up to intercepting missiles of 1000km are being studied – Block 1 NT.
Block 2 is planned to be capable of intercepting much longer-range missiles: it is said to be under development, but apparently at an early stage.
Can anyone clarify the performance differences between the standard Aster 30 & the Block 1? Does the latter have a longer range, higher speed? Does anyone know if there is any prospect of the Block 1 missile being used in naval systems?
By: swerve - 17th January 2016 at 16:30
NT is an improved model of the Block 1, while Block 2 is pretty much a new missile. That’s what the MBDA website says. It says the new contract is for “Aster Block 1 NT”, which it describes as “a new version of the Aster 30 Block 1 missile, referred to as Aster B1 NT”. It also says the contract “also covers the modernization of the current SAMP/T system to provide enhanced capabilities particularly against ballistic missiles.”
Press release.
By: halloweene - 17th January 2016 at 00:33
I believe they don’t call it Aster 30 Block 2, but just Aster Block 2. Really, it should have a different number. They could revive the Aster 45 designation.
As for when, I’m afraid I don’t know. AFAIK no date has been published, & there’s no definite commitment to buy it, though it would seem silly to develop it unless the intention is to put it into service.
Aster 30 NT. Contract was just inked.
By: Flubba - 7th January 2016 at 21:55
Holy inactive thread revival batman,
It’s unlikely much will actually be fielded, more likely to get Mk41 VLS and some form of land attack on the Type 26 before we see BMD capability. Although it’s important to note the scheduled end of TLAM production might be an issue.
If we are serious there is the faintest possibility any capability might coincide with a common Mk41 VLS order and retrofitting them into the Type 45’s as they come in for overhauls allowing for SM-3 or land attack capability to be incorporated. That might also allow Sea Ceptor (CAMM) to replace Aster 15’s increasing the missile load out.
By: JakobS - 7th January 2016 at 21:38
Is there any specific information about the future of the Type 45 capabilities?
The defense decision taken by the UK specifies looking into anti-ballistic protection from the type 45 destroyers, may this be a go for Aster 45?
By: swerve - 6th June 2011 at 12:11
So if they are not committing to Aster Block 2 , what do they plan to use for European Missile Defense ?
I didn’t say they’re not going to buy it. I said there is no commitment to buy it.
By: ronaldorx - 6th June 2011 at 04:12
This missile is make by the France force, this is a first Europe’s first-ever intercept of a tactical ballistic missile, in this missile you can see so many different and new technic, there are so many different and new function are use in this missile.
By: Austin - 17th May 2011 at 16:54
As for when, I’m afraid I don’t know. AFAIK no date has been published, & there’s no definite commitment to buy it, though it would seem silly to develop it unless the intention is to put it into service.
So if they are not committing to Aster Block 2 , what do they plan to use for European Missile Defense ?
Block 2 looks quite capable almost nears the capability of S-400 and 80 % of THAAD , would be fool hardy to cancel this system and rely on imported ones.
By: swerve - 17th May 2011 at 10:32
I believe they don’t call it Aster 30 Block 2, but just Aster Block 2. Really, it should have a different number. They could revive the Aster 45 designation.
As for when, I’m afraid I don’t know. AFAIK no date has been published, & there’s no definite commitment to buy it, though it would seem silly to develop it unless the intention is to put it into service.
By: Austin - 17th May 2011 at 06:23
When will Aster 30 Block 2 get operational ? What is the status of the program ?
Some nice video on Aster capability via MBDA
By: Dave168 - 5th October 2010 at 15:41
Dauntless is meant to be doing the first Type 45 firing very soon.
Check out
Dave
By: The Village Idi - 29th September 2010 at 11:47
Dauntless is meant to be doing the first Type 45 firing very soon.
By: The Village Idi - 18th August 2010 at 11:19
Royal Navy’s Sea Viper missile system hits its target
And, during recent trials in the Mediterranean, the system achieved a direct hit in a salvo (multiple missiles) firing against a manoeuvrable sea-skimming target travelling at hundreds of miles an hour.
By: The Village Idi - 3rd August 2010 at 20:15
The firing of Sea Viper by Dauntless is due in September this year.
By: missileer - 30th June 2010 at 16:13
If I understand you right, what you say confirms that the problem is not a general one, but applies only to missiles with strakes made since the process was changed, & suggests that it should not be very hard to correct the fault in those missiles which have it.
That seems to be the case. A get-well scheme should be fairly easy to implement, since it will involve reworking only those missiles known to have been fitted with the revised strake. A manufacturing quality-control problem could have involved more work, with rounds having to be inspected to see if their strakes were faulty. But my understanding is that the more recent examples of the strakes were made to a modified design (or with a modified construction process?) that gives problems when highly stressed during flight.
By: swerve - 30th June 2010 at 11:14
Thanks for that.
If I understand you right, what you say confirms that the problem is not a general one, but applies only to missiles with strakes made since the process was changed, & suggests that it should not be very hard to correct the fault in those missiles which have it.
i.e. what Fedaykin said. 😉
By: missileer - 30th June 2010 at 10:52
So . . . a manufacturing defect in strakes, by the sound of it. Oops!
Yesterday was uncomfortably hot day to be visiting Cambridge, but I had the chance to discuss the Aster problem with Mercurius Cantabrigiensis. Apparently the problem was not a manufacturing defect but an unexpected result of a small change to a manufacturing process. What should have been a routine modification to the strake proved to have a ‘sting in its tail’ that only emerged when the round was manoeuvring violently.
By: Fedaykin - 28th June 2010 at 13:51
Antoine Bouvier, Chief Executive Officer, said: “These successful firing trials demonstrate that MBDA has fully mastered the technical issue with the Aster strake that was uncovered last year on recent missile manufacturing. The trials have been completed in support of making sure our domestic customers are in position to deploy the full operational capability of the PAAMS(E) system with the French and Italian navies and the Sea Viper system with the Royal Navy later this year. ”
So . . . a manufacturing defect in strakes, by the sound of it. Oops!
Certainly Oops but also lucky! Means there is no fundamental issue with the system.
An inspection of produced rounds and a fix to defective ones on site should suffice.
By: swerve - 28th June 2010 at 13:28
Antoine Bouvier, Chief Executive Officer, said: “These successful firing trials demonstrate that MBDA has fully mastered the technical issue with the Aster strake that was uncovered last year on recent missile manufacturing. The trials have been completed in support of making sure our domestic customers are in position to deploy the full operational capability of the PAAMS(E) system with the French and Italian navies and the Sea Viper system with the Royal Navy later this year. “
So . . . a manufacturing defect in strakes, by the sound of it. Oops!
By: kev 99 - 28th June 2010 at 13:13
Great news, even the Register is reporting that the problems are solved (so it must be true:rolleyes:).
By: missileer - 28th June 2010 at 12:44
The problem seems to have been fixed. MBDA has just announced:
“Over the last month, firings have been carried out from the Italian Orizzonte frigate “Andrea Doria”, the French Horizon frigate “Forbin” and the UK trials barge “Longbow” at two different ranges in the Mediterranean. The trials were conducted over a range of scenarios of steadily increasing complexity, culminating in a final trial featuring a salvo firing against a sea skimming target performing a high-g terminal manoeuvre. All the trials were fully successful with both the PAAMS ship equipment and Aster missiles operating as expected in each case. This draws to a close the complex and high intensity investigation launched within MBDA after problems encountered in two firing trials last year.”
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October 13, 2009 at 11:12 pm