In Sea Viper the Sampson radar works alongside an automatic command and control system and the DCNS Sylver vertical launching system to fire MBDA Aster missiles against airborne targets. Image courtesy of BAE Systems.
Posted on 07/28/2014 7:15:29 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
The BAE Systems Sampson multi-function radar fitted to the Royal Navy’s fleet of Type 45 destroyers forms part of the Sea Viper naval air defence system, but it could also play a role in ballistic missile defence. Amid warnings of a growing threat of ballistic missile attacks against British targets, a recent series of tests were conducted to determine whether it fits the bill.
Is there nothing the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers can't do? The six Daring-class vessels patrol the world's oceans, taking part in missions as diverse as counter-piracy, tackling drug smuggling, hunting submarines and, vitally, defending the fleet from air attack.
Yet it may have another trick up its sleeve - the BAE Systems Sampson E/F-band multi-function radar (MFR) at the heart of its Sea Viper naval air defence system could also be used to detect and track ballistic missile targets. The success of a recent series of trials may lead to the Royal Navy deploying a maritime missile defence platform similar to the US Navy's Aegis Combat Ship, potentially aboard Type 45s.
Compatible with active and semi-active homing missile systems, Sampson provides mid-course guidance to enable the Type 45 to defend itself and other ships in its company from attack. In Sea Viper - the British designation for the Principal Anti Air Missile System - it plays its part alongside an automatic command and control system and the DCNS Sylver vertical launching system to fire MBDA Aster 15 short-to-medium range and Aster 30 medium-to-long range missiles against airborne targets.
In its intended anti-air warfare role, Sampson can simultaneously detect and track hundreds of separate and varied targets simultaneously at ranges of up to 400km. The new trials set out to prove that by tweaking its firmware and hardware it can spot ballistic missiles too.
(Excerpt) Read more at naval-technology.com ...
In Sea Viper the Sampson radar works alongside an automatic command and control system and the DCNS Sylver vertical launching system to fire MBDA Aster missiles against airborne targets. Image courtesy of BAE Systems.
I always thought the radar was capable off this, but is the aster 30 capable of shooting a bm down?
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