MBDA has been awarded three contracts worth around 467 million euros to further expand the Sea Viper air defense system for the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers and to maintain the existing systems. This should enable the Type 45 destroyers to better defend themselves against anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs).
A further contract provides for the extension and improvement of the ISS (In-Service Support) contract for Sea Viper for another five years. MBDA is the prime contractor and design authority for the Sea Viper weapon system, including the sensor (radar), command and control system and missile. Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK, said: “These contracts make Sea Viper the most capable air defense system we have developed in our 60-year history as the main supplier of air defense systems to the Royal Navy. In addition, the UK will further develop cooperation with France and Italy through MBDA by joining the Aster 30 Block 1 program, which gives the UK the capability to defend against anti-ship ballistic missiles.” https://militaeraktuell.at/bae-systems-erster-acv-command-fuer-us-marine-corps/ The main element of the contracts is the renewal of the Royal Navy’s existing Aster 30 missiles with updated Block 1 warheads and new guidance and seeker software to counter anti-ship ballistic missile threats, while retaining air defense capability. The Sampson multifunction radar and the Type 45 combat management system will also be modernized. A team from MBDA in the UK, France and Italy is carrying out the work together with BAE Systems Maritime Services. The second part of Sea Viper Evolution is an assessment phase, looking at equipping the Type 45 destroyers with the new Aster 30 Block 1NT missile and further improvements to the radar and overall weapon system to provide capabilities against maneuverable and separating medium range ballistic missiles.
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