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17 November 2003 |
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Blockbuster contract kicks off ATBM defense effort, adds to conventional naval surface-air capability Discussions are underway to demonstrate an extended anti-theater ballistic missile defense capability for Europe that would offer an engagement envelope at least twice that of an initial Aster SAMP/T Block 1 system ordered last week. On Nov. 12, European procurement agency Occar awarded Eurosam, a joint venture of MBDA and Thales, a 3-billion euro ($3.5-billion) Phase 3 contract for full-scale development and production of SAMP/T Block 1, after three years of negotiation. Block 1 is a derivative of the Aster 30 conventional air defense weapon designed for defense against crude Scud D ballistic missiles as well as basic cruise missiles of the Silkworm class, unmanned aerial vehicles and other advanced aerial threats. Funded by France and Italy, Block 1 is billed as the first operational ATBM defense system designed for both land- and sea-based operation, filling a strategic gap in Europe's forward-projection capability. "With this system, there is no longer any gap whatsoever with the U.S. [in this area]," said MBDA CEO Marwan Lahoud. The award will include delivery of 18 batteries to France and Italy, along with associated Aster 30 missiles, to be delivered through 2014. Block 1, to enter service in 2007, is intended to provide area defense in support of new European and NATO rapid-reaction forces. The purchase also covers production of additional Aster 30 and shorter- range Aster 15s for the French and Italian aircraft carriers, Charles de Gaulle and Andrea Doria, and for Paams air defense systems that will equip Franco-Italian Horizon/Orizzonte frigates and U.K. Type 45 Daring- class destroyers. Aster development and low-level production was kicked off under the first two phases of the so-called Future Surface-to-Air Family (FSAF) program in 1990-97. These awards totaled 2.4 billion euros. Preliminary development of the Block 1 ATBM capability began in 2000. THE FIRST AIR DEFENSE system for the Charles de Gaulle is operational, and has also been qualified for the Andrea Doria. Paams, designed to meet a NATO requirement for multi-layer theater defense, is slated for deployment in 2006. In total, the deal will cover 1,400 missiles plus ancillary equipment, logistics support and training for the three countries. Lahoud said missile maker and parent firm EADS had also begun talks with French armaments agency DGA to launch a demonstration program for an extended ATBM version of Aster, designated SAMP/T Block 2. The 50-100-million-euro program, expected to begin next year and run 3-5 years, would study key technologies required for the Block 2 system, including terminal guidance, lethality and system concepts. An initial feasibility study has been completed. ENGINEERS IN FRANCE, Italy and the U.K.--which is entertaining the idea of joining Block 2--are still debating whether to use a derivative of the Aster 30 missile or an all-new design, and the intercept altitude-- thus, the amount of warning time--to be sought (AW&ST Mar. 31, p. 54). Depending on the answer, missiles with a range of 1,500-2,000 km. could be engaged, versus 600 km. for the basic Block 1. The DGA has already ordered two key experimental systems necessary to demonstrate a Block 2 capability: an early warning satellite and most recently, a medium-range radar (AW&ST Oct. 13, p. 11; Mar. 17, p. 36). The 60-80-million-euro satellite demonstrator, to be launched in 2006, would permit an operational system by around 2012, when Block 2 is expected to be service-ready. The 70-million-euro radar demo, known as M3R, is designed to enable an operational radar to enter production in 2010, when it could help push the engagement perimeter to 1,000 km. One focus of the M3R program will be to develop a line of solid-state components and improved connector design that can permit more power to be generated at far lower cost and with lower heat loss and space requirements than existing chips, said Michel Mathieu, senior vice president for air defense at Thales, which is building the demonstrator in partnership with Raytheon. Mathieu said the goal is a better-than-order-of-magnitude reduction in unit cost and an equivalent increase in power output compared with existing active phased-array antenna systems. M3R work is also being supported by the Netherlands, which is interested in SAMP/T Block 2 to replace the now-abandoned U.S. Standard SM-2 Block IVA naval ATBM system. Another prospective partner is Germany, which is eyeing a homegrown medium-range radar, the RELV, for the Medium-Range Extended Air Defense System (Meads), a land-based ATBM network proposed in cooperation with Italy and the U.S. Meads is expected to begin full-scale development next year and enter service, like SAMP/T Block 2, around 2012. GUIDO LAMI, MANAGING director of Eurosam, the MBDA-Thales affiliate in charge of SAMP/T and other Aster programs, said although an ATBM feasibility study was only launched in 1993, the present Block 1 version was designed from the onset with ATBM capability. Direct impact strikes have been demonstrated in a half dozen of the 30 successful test firings to date, Lami indicated. He said full capability would be demonstrated through a combination of live tests and simulation. "If the government wants to make a Scud available, we'll
be glad to test it."
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