| Aster | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:MBDA_Aster_p1220947.jpg) MBDA Aster 30 on display showing attached booster | |
| Type | Surface-to-air/anti-ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | France Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2001–present |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Eurosam |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Aster 15: 310 kg[1] Aster 30: 450 kg[1] |
| Length | Aster 15: 4.2 m[1] Aster 30: 4.9 m[1] |
| Diameter | Aster 15 & 30: 180 mm (7.1 in)[1] |
| Warhead | 15 kg focused fragmented warhead with 2 m lethal radius |
Detonation mechanism | Calculated delay proximity fuze |
| Engine | Solid propellant, two-stage motor[1] |
Operational range | Aster 15: >30 km[1] Aster 30 Block 0 & 1: >120 km[1] Aster 30 Block 1 NT: >150 km[2] |
| Flight altitude | Aster 15: 13 km[1] Aster 30 Block 0 & 1: 20 km[1] Aster 30 Block 1NT: 25 km class[3] |
| Maximum speed | Aster 15: Mach 3 (1,000 m/s)[1] Aster 30: Mach 4.5 (1,400 m/s)[1] |
Guidance system |
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Launch platform |
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&sq=&lang=&file=File:Type_45_HMS_Diamond_being_loaded_with_Sea_Viper_missiles_at_HMNB_Portsmouth_MOD_45159617.jpg)
The Aster 15 and Aster 30 are a Franco-Italian family of all-weather, vertical launch surface-to-air missiles.[5] The name "Aster" stands for "Aérospatiale Terminale", with French company Aérospatiale having been the project's lead contractor before its missile activities were merged into MBDA. It also takes inspiration from the word "aster" (Greek: ἀστήρ), meaning "star" in Ancient Greek. The missiles as well as the related weapon systems are manufactured by Eurosam, a consortium consisting of MBDA France, MBDA Italy and Thales, each holding a 33.3% share.
The Aster missiles were developed to intercept and destroy the full spectrum of air threats from high-performance combat aircraft, UAVs and helicopters to cruise, anti-radiation and even sea-skimming supersonic anti-ship missiles.[6] The Aster 30 Block 1 and Block 1 NT are designed to also counter ballistic missiles.[1]
The Aster is primarily operated by France and Italy, as well as the United Kingdom as an export customer, and is an integrated component of the PAAMS air defence system, known in the Royal Navy as Sea Viper. As the principal weapon of the PAAMS, the Aster equips the Horizon-class frigates in French and Italian service as well as the British Type 45 destroyers. It equips the French and Italian FREMM multipurpose frigates, though not through the PAAMS air defense suite itself but specific French and Italian derivatives of the system.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Aster 15 & 30 Datasheet". 31 May 2022.
- ^ "Eurosam unveils new SAMP/T air defense variant at Dubai Airshow". 16 November 2021.
- ^ "ASTER SAMP/T NG Datasheet 2023". 1 April 2024.
- ^ a b "ASTER ANTI-MISSILE MISSILE" (PDF). MBDA MISSILE SYSTEMS. Archived from the original on 11 May 2012.
- ^ Eurosam: Naval Systems – Aster 15 & 30/PAAMS (Official Eurosam website), Retrieved February 2014. "Up to 120 km range".
- ^ "Interception d'une cible supersonique évoluant au ras de l'eau" (in French). defense.gouv.fr. French Ministry of Defence. 5 April 2012. Archived from the original on 19 June 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2016.