View source for Aster (missile family)

{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
|name=Aster
|image=[[File:MBDA Aster p1220947.jpg|300px]]
|caption=MBDA Aster 30 on display showing attached booster.
|origin=
|type='''Aster 15:'''<br>Short/medium range anti-aircraft and anti-missile missile.<br>'''Aster 30:''' <br>Long range anti-aircraft and anti-missile missile.
|used_by=
|manufacturer=[[MBDA]]
|unit_cost=
|propellant=
|production_date=
|service=2001
|engine=Solid propellant two-stage rocket.
|engine_power=
|weight='''Aster 15:''' 310 kg<ref name="MBDA PDF" /><br>'''Aster 30:''' 450 kg<ref name="MBDA PDF">[http://www.mbda-systems.com/mediagallery/files/aster_ds.pdf MBDA - Aster PDF]</ref>
|length='''Aster 15:''' 4.2 m<ref name="MBDA PDF" /><br>'''Aster 30:''' 4.9 m<ref name="MBDA PDF" />
|height=
|diameter=180 mm
|wingspan=
|speed='''Aster 15:''' Mach 3.5 (1,191 m/s)<ref name="MBDA PDF" /><ref>[http://navy-matters.beedall.com/paams.htm PAAMS]</ref><br>'''Aster 30:''' Mach 4.5 (1,531m/s)<ref name="MBDA PDF" />
|vehicle_range='''Aster 15:''' 1.7&ndash;30 km<ref name="MBDA PDF" /><br>'''Aster 30:''' 3&ndash;120 km<ref name="MBDA PDF" />
|ceiling=
|altitude='''Aster 15:''' 13 km<ref name="MBDA PDF" /><br>'''Aster 30:''' 30 km<ref name="MBDA PDF" />
|filling=Directed fragmentation.
|guidance=<br>
*Inertial guidance with up-link.
*Terminal active radar homing.
|detonation=Direct contact or proximity.
|launch_platform=<br>
*Maritime platforms.
*Land based platforms.
}}

The '''Aster''' missile series, comprising the '''Aster 15''' and '''Aster 30''' are a family of vertically launched [[surface-to-air missile]]s.<ref>[http://www.eurosam.com/aster.html Eurosam - Aster]</ref> The name "''Aster''" originates from the mythical Greek archer named ''[[Asterion]]'' (in Greek mythology), Asterion likewise receiving his name from the ancient Greek word aster ({{lang-el|ἀστήρ}}), meaning "star". Aster is manufactured by [[Eurosam]], a European consortium consisting of [[MBDA]] France, MBDA Italy (combined 66%) and the Thales Group (33%). The missile is designed to intercept and destroy a wide range of air threats, such as [[Cruise missile#Supersonic|supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles]] at very low altitude ([[Sea skimming|Sea-skimming]])<ref name="Aster 30 hits sea-skimming target at supersonic speeds">[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/actualites/articles/interception-d-une-cible-supersonique-evoluant-au-ras-de-l-eau. Interception d’une cible supersonique évoluant au ras de l’eau.] '''(In French)'''</ref> and fast flying, high performance [[Fighter aircraft|aircraft]] or missiles.

Aster is primarily operated by France, Italy, and the [[United Kingdom]] and is an integrated component of the [[PAAMS]] air-defence missile system, known in the [[Royal Navy]] as Sea Viper. As the principle weapon of the PAAMS system, Aster equips the [[Type 45 destroyers]] and the [[Horizon class frigate]]s. Aster also equips the French and Italian [[FREMM multipurpose frigate]]s, though they will not be operating as part of a PAAMS air-defence suite.

Although the Aster 30 is [[anti-ballistic missile]] capable,<ref name="Aster 30 hit BM">[http://www.marianne2.fr/blogsecretdefense/Une-premiere-en-France-un-missile-intercepte-par-un-antimissile-Aster_a442.html Ballistic missile intercepted by Aster 30]</ref> an '''Aster Block 2 BMD''' ('''B'''allistic '''M'''issile '''D'''efence)  variant of the Aster 30 missile is currently under development.<ref name="MBDA, Aster Block 2">[http://www.mbda-systems.com/e-catalogue/#/solutions/ground/2/introduction Aster Block 2/BMD]</ref>

==History==
During the 1980s, the predominant missiles in Franco-Italian service were short-range systems such as the French ''[[Crotale missile|Crotale]]'', Italian [[Selenia Aspide|Aspide]] or [[United States|American]] [[Sea Sparrow]], with ranges up to a dozen kilometres. Some vessels were also equipped with the American medium/long range [[Standard missile|Standard]]. France and Italy decided to start development of a domestic medium/long range surface-to-air missile to enter service in the first decade of this millennium, that would give them comparable range but superior interception capability to the American ''[[RIM-66 Standard|Standard]]'' or British ''[[Sea Dart missile|Sea Dart]]'' already in service.

Thought was given in particular to the new missile's ability to intercept next-generation supersonic anti-ship missiles, such as the [[Brahmos]] missile developed jointly by India and Russia. This allowed the actual systems to have the characteristic of being specialised either in short-to-medium range "point defence" (ships, for instance), or in medium-to-long range "zone defence" ([[Naval fleet|fleets]]).

In May 1989, a [[Memorandum of understanding]] was signed between France and Italy for the development of a family of future surface-to air-missiles. Eurosam was formed shortly afterwards. By July 1995 development had taken shape in the form of the Aster missile and test firing of the first Aster 30 took place. The missile successfully intercepted a target at an altitude of 15,000 m and at speeds of 1000&nbsp;km/h. A Phase 2 contract was awarded in 1997 at US$1 billion for pre-production and developlemt of the French-Italian land and naval systems.

During development trials between 1993 and 1994 all flight sequences, altitudes and ranges, were validated. This was also the period during which the launch sequence of Aster 30 was validated. In May 1996, trials of the Aster 15 active electromagnetical final guidance system against live targets began. All six attempts were successful. Again during 1997 Aster was extensively tested, this time being pitted against targets such as the [[Aerospatiale C.22|C22 target]] and first generation [[Exocet]] anti-ship missiles. In numerous engagements Aster scored direct impacts on its targets. During one such engagement on 13 November 1997 in a strong [[Countermeasure|countermeasures environment]], the Aster was not armed with its military warhead so that the distance between the Aster and the target could be recorded. The target (a C22) was recovered bearing two strong cuts due to the fins of the Aster missile.
[[File:FS CDG aster.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A [[Sylver Vertical Launching System|Sylver A-43 VLS]] on the French aircraft carrier [[French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91)|''Charles de Gaulle'' (R91)]], equipped with Aster 15 missiles.]]
In May 2001 Aster had again successfully completed the "manufacturer's validation firing test" and was deployed for the first time on the French [[Nuclear reactor technology|nuclear-powered]] [[aircraft carriers]]  [[French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91)|Charles de Gaulle (R91)]]. Again on the 29 June 2001 achieved a successful interception of a ''Arabel'' missile at low altitude in less than five seconds. During the same year a target simulating an aircraft flying at speeds of Mach 1 and at an altitude of 100 meters was intercepted by an Aster 15. The first ever operational firing of the Aster missile took place during October 2002 on board Charles de Gaulle. Finally in November 2003 Eurosam was awarded the 3 billion euro Phase 3 production contract which saw full production commence and exports to France, Italy, Saudi Arabia and the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>[http://www.eurosam.com/program.html Eurosam - Program milestones]</ref> The resulting Aster surface-to-air missile meets inter-service and international requirements, addressing the needs of the land, air and naval forces of France, Italy and the United Kingdom. The decision to base the missile around a common terminal intercept 'dart' to which different sized boosters can be attached has made it modular and extensible.

From 2002 to 2005, the Italian experimental frigate [[Alpino class frigate|''Carabiniere'' (F581)]] provided a test bed for live firing trials of the Aster 15 from Sylver A43 launchers with [[EMPAR]] and SAAM-it systems, and the trials of Aster 30 from Sylver A50 launchers with EMPAR and [[PAAMS]](E) systems.

==Characteristics==
Aster is best described as an anti-missile missile that is capable of intercepting all types of high performance air threats such as; aircraft, [[UAV]]s, [[ballistic missile]]s, [[cruise missile]]s and [[anti-ship missile]]s at ranges of up to 120&nbsp;km.<ref name="MBDA PDF" /> There are currently two versions of the Aster missile family, the short range version, ''Aster 15'' and the long range version, ''Aster 30''. The missile bodies are identical; Their difference in range and intercept speed is because Aster 30 uses a much larger booster. Total weights of the Aster 15 and Aster 30 are 310&nbsp;kg and 450&nbsp;kg respectively. Aster 15 has a length of 4.2 meters, rising to just under 5 meters for Aster 30 and a diameter of 180mm.<ref name="MBDA PDF" />
[[File:VLS Caio Duilio.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Sylver Vertical Launching System|Sylver A-50 VLS]] on the Italian Horizon-class frigate [[Italian destroyer Caio Duilio (D 554)|''Caio Duilio'' (D 554)]], equipped with Aster 15 and 30 missiles.]]
Given the larger dimensions of the Aster 30, a naval based system requires the longer tubes of the [[Sylver Vertical Launching System|Sylver]] A50 or A70 [[vertical launching system]] (VLS). Additionally the American [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System]] can accommodate Aster 30.

Aster 30 is capable of reaching speeds of Mach 4.5 while reaching altitudes of 30&nbsp;km and is capable of performing aerial manoeuvres greater than 60 Gs giving it a very high degree of manoeuvrability.<ref name="Eurosam">[http://www.eurosam.com/aster.html ASTER hit-to-kill Missile Interceptors]</ref> This is thanks to the combination of aerodynamic control and the direct thrust vector control called "PIF-PAF".<ref name="MBDA PDF" /> Thrust vectors are intentionally located at the missile's centre of gravity maximising responsiveness.<ref name="Eurosam" /> This system also prevents a rupture of the missile under high-''g'' maneuvers during trajectory corrections, and allows such maneuvers to be performed without losing aerodynamic performances, improving the precision of the impact on target. A standard launch of the Aster can include 90-degree trajectory changes.<ref>[http://navy-matters.beedall.com/paams.htm Details of the Asters trajectory change manoeuvre]</ref>

Eurosam describes Aster as a "hit-to-kill Missile Interceptor".<ref name="Eurosam" />

The Aster missile is autonomously guided enabling it to cope with saturated attacks and is equipped with an active RF seeker.<ref name="MBDA PDF" />  The shipboard radar fulfills roles of sentry, meteo, target discrimination, acquisition and chase. When coupled with the advanced [[PAAMS]] air-defence system utilizing the [[SAMPSON]] and [[S1850M]] radars (as found on the British [[Type 45 destroyers]]), Aster is capable of simultaneously targeting and engaging multiple targets at once. MBDA states Aster is capable of "Multiple engagement capability with high rate of fire".<ref name="MBDA PDF" />

===Variants===
* '''Aster 15''' - Ship point and local area defence
* '''Aster 30 Block 0''' - Ship local and wide area defence
* '''Aster 30 Block 1''' - Ground-based wide area defence capable against 600&nbsp;km-range ballistic missiles such as [[R-17 Elbrus|Scud-B]]<ref name="Tran20130512">{{cite news | url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130512/DEFREG01/305120007/MBDA-Positioned-Score-Big-3-Deals | title=MBDA Positioned to Score Big in 3 Deals | date=12 May 2013 | first=Pierre | last=Tran | newspaper=Defense News}}</ref>
* '''Aster 30 Block 1NT''' (New Technology) - wide area defence capable against 1000&nbsp;km-range ballistic missiles<ref name=Tran20130512 />
* '''Aster 30 Block 2''' - wide area defence capable against 3000&nbsp;km-range ballistic missiles<ref name=Tran20130512 />

Block 1 is used in the Eurosam SAMP/T system operated by the French Air Force and the Italian Army.<ref>[http://www.eurosam.com/ground.html ASTER - SAMP/T]</ref> {{As of|May 2013}}, the development of Block 1NT is under discussion by France, Italy and the UK. Block 2 would not be delivered until after 2020.<ref name=Tran20130512 />

==Operational history==
[[File:Defence Imagery - Missiles 19.jpg|thumb|[[HMS Diamond (D34)|HMS ''Diamond'']] firing an Aster missile for the first time in 2012.]]
*In April 2008, the [[Republic of Singapore Navy]] [[Formidable class frigate]] RSS ''Intrepid'' shot down an aerial drone off the French port of Toulon during a naval exercise. Then again in 2010, a frigate of the same class, RSS ''Supreme'' fired an Aster 15 and shot down an aerial drone off the coast of Hawaii as part of exercise [[RIMPAC#RIMPAC 2010|RIMPAC 2010]].

*In September 2010, off the Outer Hebrides at the [[Benbecula]] ranges, [[HMS Dauntless (D33)|HMS ''Dauntless'' (D33)]] was the first [[Royal Navy]] [[Type 45 destroyer]] to successfully shoot an Aster missile and proceed to intercept its target. The target was a Mirach drone. Mirach is a 13&nbsp;ft jet which flies at speeds of up to of 530kts (more than 600&nbsp;mph) from altitudes as low as 10&nbsp;ft or as high as 40,000&nbsp;ft.<ref>[http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Ships/Weapons-Systems/Sea-Viper Royal Navy - Sea Viper]</ref>

*In May 2011, [[HMS Daring (D32)|HMS ''Daring'' (D32)]] the first of the class of the Royal Navys Type 45 destroyers successfully fired its Aster missiles for the first time. The shoot took place off the Outer Hebrides at the Benbecula ranges in Scotland. ''Daring'' intercepted and destroyed its target, a Mirach drone.<ref>[http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/HmsDaringFiresSeaViperForFirstTime.htm MOD - HMS Daring fires Sea Viper for first time], 19 May 2011.</ref> Although being the first destroyer of the Type 45 class, ''Daring'' was not the first to fire its primary weapon. This was due to initial manufacturing defects on a batch of production Aster missiles exported to the UK. The defect was found after consecutive failures during testing, thus stalling the Royal Navy's attempts to successfully fire the Aster missiles during late 2009.<ref>[http://www.defencemanagement.com/news_story.asp?id=13369 MBDA reports Aster 30 test success]</ref>

*In December 2011, an Aster 30 missile intercepted and downed an Israeli ''[[Sparrow (target missile)|Black Sparrow]]'' ballistic missile target. It was the first time an Aster missile had attempted such an engagement. The shoot confirmed Aster's anti-ballistic missile capability.<ref name="Aster 30 hit BM"/>

*In April 2012, the [[French Navy]] successfully shot and downed an American [[GQM-163 Coyote]] target. The GQM-163 Coyote was simulating a [[Sea skimming|sea-skimming]] [[Cruise missile#Supersonic|supersonic anti-ship cruise missile]] traveling at speeds of Mach 2.5 (3000&nbsp;km/h) with an altitude of less than 5 metres. The Aster 30 missile was fired by the [[Horizon class frigate|Horizon class]] frigate [[French frigate Forbin (D620)|''Forbin'' (D620)]], also present during the shoot was ''Forbin's'' sister ship [[French frigate Chevalier Paul (D621)|''Chevalier Paul'' (D621)]]. The successful shooting represents the first time a European missile defence system has intercepted and destroyed a supersonic sea-skimming "missile". The trial was described as a "complex operational scenario".<ref name="Aster 30 hits sea-skimming target at supersonic speeds"/>

*In May 2012, [[HMS Diamond (D34)|HMS ''Diamond'' (D34)]] was the third Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer to successfully intercept its target with an Aster missile. The firing took place off the Outer Hebrides at the Benbecula ranges in Scotland.<ref>[http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/HmsDiamondFiresSeaViperMissileForFirstTime.htm MOD - HMS Diamond fires Sea Viper missile for first time], 1 May 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2012/May/01/120501-DiamondSeaViper Diamond fires her main weapon for the first time], 1 May 2012.</ref>

*In July 2012, [[HMS Dragon (D35)|HMS ''Dragon'' (D35)]] was the fourth Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer to successfully intercept its target with an Aster missile. The firing took place off the Outer Hebrides at the Benbecula ranges in Scotland. ''Dragon's'' Operations Officer, [[Lieutenant commander|Lieutenant Commander]] Duncan MacRae, of the [[Royal Australian Navy]] said: "''This was a great demonstration of the capability of a Type 45 and a reassurance of system performance.''"<ref>[http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2012/July/13/120713-HMS-Dragon-spits-Sea-Viper-fire HMS Dragon spits Sea Viper fire]</ref>

==Deployment==
===Naval systems===
{{Further|Type 45 destroyer#Advanced air-defence}}

* [[Type 45 destroyer]]
* [[Horizon-class frigate]]
* [[FREMM multipurpose frigate]]
* [[Formidable-class frigate]]
* [[La Fayette-class frigate#Al Riyadh class: Saudi Arabia|Al Riyadh-class frigate]]

===Land systems===
[[File:Salon du Bourget 20090619 110.jpg|thumb|The "radar module" of the SAMP/T Ground-based area defence system.]]
Aster 30 has been successfully incorporated into a land based [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]] system - fulfilling the "''Ground-based area defence''" mission requirement.<ref>[http://www.army-technology.com/projects/aster-30/ Aster 30 SAMP/T – Surface-to-Air Missile Platform / Terrain]</ref> It comes in the form of the [[Eurosam]] '''SAMP'''/'''T''' ('''S'''urface-to-'''A'''ir '''M'''issile '''P'''latform/'''T'''errain. The French Ministry of Defence initially placed orders for six SAMP/T systems for the [[French Army]] and six systems for the [[French Air Force]], however by 2012 the order was reduced to ten '''Mamba''' systems and all will now be operated by the Air Force. It is intended that they will provide mobile air-defence for strategically important locations at home or abroad - primarily military air bases. SAMP/T is currently equipping five squadrons of air defence (EDSA) in the French Air Force and has been operational since 2010. SAMP/T is primarily mounted on a Renault 8x4 Kerax transporter erector launcher vehicle, it is fitted with eight missiles - all of which can be salvo-fired in under ten seconds.<ref name="SAMP/T">[http://www.army-technology.com/projects/aster-30/ Aster 30 SAMP/T]</ref>

Eurosam also received an order for six SAMP/T systems for the [[Italian Army]], the first units of which are already in service. It is mounted on an Astra 8x8 transporter erector launcher trucks, each truck with eight missiles.<ref name="SAMP/T"/>

The [[Republic of Singapore Air Force]] has ordered an unknown amount of SAMP/T systems to replace their [[MIM-23 Hawk|Improved Hawk]] missiles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130916/DEFREG03/309160013/Singapore-Acquire-European-Surface-Air-Missile-System|title=Singapore To Acquire European Surface-To-Air Missile System|date=16/09/2013|accessdate=2013-09-17|publisher=Defense News}}</ref>

The system uses a network of sophisticated radars and sensors - including 3D phased array radar - enabling it to be highly effective against all types of air threats.<ref name="SAMP/T"/> And Italy is considering adding BMD capabilities to the SAMP/T.<ref>[http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsitaly-considers-enhancing-aster-sampt-with-anti-ballistic-capability "Italy considers enhancing Aster SAMP/T with anti-ballistic capability."]</ref>

==Operators==
===Current operators===
[[File:HMS Dragon-1.JPG|right|thumb|[[HMS Dragon (D35)|HMS ''Dragon'' (D35)]] a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer in May 2012 equipped with the Sylver A-50 VLS and Aster 15 and 30 missiles.]]
[[File:Singapore Navy guided-missile frigate RSS Steadfast.jpg|right|thumb|RSS ''Steadfast'' a [[Formidable class frigate]] of the [[Republic of Singapore Navy]] equipped with Aster 15 and 30 missiles.]]

;{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]]
* [[Royal Navy]]

;{{flagicon|France}} France
* [[French Navy]]
* [[French Air Force]]

;{{flagicon|Italy}} Italy
* [[Italian Navy]]
* [[Italian Army]]

;{{flagicon|Singapore}} Singapore
* [[Republic of Singapore Navy]]
* [[Republic of Singapore Air Force]]

;{{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} Saudi Arabia
* [[Royal Saudi Navy]]

;{{flagicon|Algeria}} Algeria
* [[Algerian National Navy]]<ref>http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/la-construction-du-bdsl-algerien-avance</ref>

===Potential operators===
;{{flagicon|Poland}} Poland
* [[Polish Armed Forces]]<ref>[http://www.bumar.com/en/news/2011/12/missile-test-successful-for-the-shield-of-poland/ Missile Test Successful for The Shield of Poland], 8 December 2011.</ref>

===Failed Tenders===
;{{flagicon|Turkey}} Turkey
* [[Turkish Armed Forces]]<ref>[http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-dismisses-nato-allies-bids-selects-chinese-firm-for-air-defense-system-tender.aspx?pageID=238&nID=55234&NewsCatID=345,Turkey dismisses NATO allies’ bids, selects Chinese firm for air defense system tender], 26 September 2013.</ref>

==See also==
* [[European defence procurement]]
* [[PAAMS]]
* [[Type 45 destroyer]]
* [[RIM-174 Standard ERAM]] - a comparable US Navy surface-to-air missile.
* [[Barak 8]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons|MBDA Aster}}
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfhoGKmD68g Video - HMS Diamond fires Aster 30 missile], 2012
* [http://www.mbda-systems.com/products/maritime-superiority/aster-paams-saam/59-2/ MBDA Aster 15 & 30 PAAMS]
* [http://www.mbda-systems.com/mbda/site/ref/scripts/siteFO_contenu.php?lang=EN&noeu_id=87&page_id=117 MBDA Aster 15 SAAM]
* [http://www.eurosam.com/naval.html Eurosam Aster page]

{{Wikipedia|Aster (missile family)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aster (Missile Family)}}
[[Category:21st-century surface-to-air missiles]]
[[Category:Naval surface-to-air missiles]]
[[Category:Anti-ballistic missiles]]