Naval Surface to Air Missiles in Modern Warfare Insecurity

It is not an overstatement that air defence remains one of the most critical elements in ensuring a ship’s survival in the battlefront. The agility in performing evasive manoeuvres coupled with adequate counter-measures promises a ship’s survival-ability in the open sea.

We are going through the period where rich nations are radically arming its armed forces with lethal offensive capabilities. Through the procurement of 5^th generation combat aircraft, they are poised to flex their air-superiority muscles thus urging the need for necessary air defence measures by neighbouring countries.

In order to overcome the possibility of overwhelming air threats, navies around the world have initiated a series of modernisation efforts through various enhancements and development of onboard defence systems. The modernisation programmes include the upgrade of radars, firepower and necessary armor. While radars and armors stands as a passive defence measures, the equipment of stronger firepower onboard ships ensures one ability to generate offensive measures against not only aerial threats, but also against surface and underwater threats. ASPAC Defence brings you about a number of latest naval surface-to-air missiles currently serving navies around the globe. 

Aster 15/30

The Aster missile family, namely the Aster 15 and Aster 30 were inaugurated in 1989 when France and Italy signed an MoU on the development of indigenous surface-to-air missiles. Development took place up until October 2002 when Aster first went into service onboard French aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle. Developed based on the Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS) as well as the Surface-Air Anti Missile (SAAM) system, both Aster 15 and 30 were designed to perform air defence manoeuvres, especially in anti-ballistic roles. Operators of the Aster missiles may boldly rely on Aster missiles’ capability of countering ballistic missiles upon target’s re-entry.

Aster 15 and 30, though both operate on Vertical Launching System (VLS), differs in a few significant characters. While the slightly smaller Aster 15 is capable of engaging targets to a range of 30km, Aster 30 has a longer range in excess of 100km. Having an effective altitude of approximately 13km, Aster 15 has an engagement speed of around Mach 3 while Aster 30’s speed tops at Mach 4.5 with maximum altitude of 20km. Thanks to its larger build up, Aster 30 is able to accommodate larger booster stage hence the superiority in range, speed and altitude compared to the smaller Aster 15. Both missiles are steered using PIF-PAF system, which enables them to handle 60G during flight as well as preventing structure rupture in an event of trajectory corrections.

Aster 15 and 30 each is equipped with active radar homing, enabling them to identify and maintain target engagement during trajectory. Both missiles were designed to suit Sylver missile systems, namely the A-43, A-50 and A-70 variants or several other platforms of similar size such as the Mark 41 VLS. Aster 15 is available in only single variant while Aster 30 has been developed into four variants including standard Block 0, Block 1, Block 1NT (New Technology) as well as Block 2. Block 1 is Aster 30’s land version for protection against 600km-range ballistic missiles, while Block 1NT is set to perform counter-measure against 1000km-range ballistic missiles. The later is to provide defence against 3000km-range ballistic missiles.

Since its inauguration, the Aster missile family has been widely selected by several leading armed forces in the world. Having served its home nations, France and Italy, Aster missiles have also known to serve the Royal Navy, Singapore Navy as well as Saudi Arabian Navy.

Aspide 2000

Introduced as MBDA’s medium range surface-to-air missile, Aspide 2000 went through R&D and upgrades based on Aspide multi-role missile platform, with the anticipation of 40% performance increase compared to its predecessor. Aspide 2000 is available for sea and land operation, maximising its potential for global operators. Unlike the Aster missiles, Aspide 2000 is only equipped with the commonly used semi-active radar homing thus necessitating additional guidance from external sources. The absence of a higher-tech guidance system is made up by the engagement range, which measures up to 25km. This feature is furthermore enhanced with the missile’s maximum altitude, rated with the ability to strike targets cruising 3.5km above ground.

Aspide 2000 operates on a number of platforms including Albatros, Spada, Skyguard as well as Amoun. These systems consist of both naval and land platforms, readily available for armed forces all over the world. Aspide 2000 missiles are currently in service with armed forces from Egypt, Pakistan and Spain. In addition to this, the missile too, is also supporting Italian Air Force and Royal Thai Air Force as part of their Skyguard air defence system. Kuwait is the latest nation armed with Aspide 2000. Following an order of upgrade on its older Aspide missile system, Kuwait has since received the system and executed a series of exercises and trials. Since 2007 pending January last year, Kuwait has successfully launched 19 Aspide 2000 missiles in varying weather conditions. During the January 2013 exercise, Aspide 2000 has accomplished a major milestone, having neutralised two remotely flown Banshee aircraft. The milestone has proven Aspide 2000’s capability and its potential to form a part of a reliable air defence system. It is not an overstatement that Aspide 2000 can be perceived as one of the best option to fill the gap between a long-range missile system and a ship’s gun close-in weapon system.

Barak-8

The Barak-8 SAM programme was initiated right at the dead end of Indian’s Akash and Trishul missile programme. India required a superior missile and the success of BrahMos joint-venture missile programme has inspired the Indian to search for partners in order to develop a fully capable SAM missile, which later on developed into the Barak-8. The venture took place between India’s DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries, with a clear intention to build a primary naval air defence system for both nations.

Barak-8 is fully capable of striking targets as far as 70km, with an operation altitude limited to 16km. The missile features a dual-pulse rocket motor, which is able to thrust the missile at a speed in excess of Mach 2. Its physical build up allows for extreme manoeuvrability, making it a suitable candidate for defence against variety of airborne targets including anti-ship missiles, aircraft as well as UAVs. Barak-8 missile is additionally equipped with active radar homing, compromising the requirement of external input as well as maximising target-hit probabilities.

Recent development saw Indian order of the Barak-8 missile system in 2009, a contract reported to worth around $1.1 billion. The order took place followed by an episode of successful trials in Israel on May 2010. As of July last year, the Israeli armed forces has began arming its Sa’ar 5-class warships with Barak-8 missiles and they are also anticipating the two recently ordered German-built Meko-class frigates to be fitted with similar missile system. In addition to that, the Indian Navy has reportedly planned to fit the Barak-8 missile system onboard its aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya. The carrier, having reached its home base earlier this year, was set to receive the system by 2017, after several years of delay.

RIM-162 ESSM

Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, acronymed ESSM is an international missile development programme cooperatively ventured by member nations including the US, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Turkey. The missile went through thorough development, based on the Sea Sparrow Missile programme; having undergone panoply of upgrades hence the introduction of the ESSM.

ESSM was co-developed and manufactured by Raytheon, a US leading defence manufacturer. The RIM-162 missile is a high-speed missile, capable of travelling at a maximum speed of Mach 4 and able to hit targets as far as 50km. The ESSM is equipped with semi-active radar homing, making it a more suitable option for cost-conscious operators due to the cheaper and simpler system integrated onboard.

The missile first entered service in 2004, after going through series of trials by member nations. The US conducted operational evaluation in July 2002 while the Australian test-fired the missile in October 2003. This was later followed by the Royal Netherlands Navy as well the German Navy. Like other missiles in its class, ESSM too has the ability to perform high-G manoeuvres during flight. This is proven in a May 2013 event when the missile has successfully intercepted a high-diving supersonic test target.

ESSM is operational with a number of launchers namely the Mk29, Mk41, Mk48 and Mk56 vertical launchers. Other than serving the initial 10 nations that cooperatively ventured into the development of the ESSM, the missile is also in service with Japan and Thailand. Its presence within the industry has highlighted its capability in countering threats of all sorts including anti-ship cruise missiles as well as low-velocity and sea-skimming threats.

VL MICA

MBDA’s line of missiles continues to stand high with the introduction of its latest addition to their MICA family of missiles. The missile history takes us back to 1982 when Matra, a French corporation that involved in a wide range of international commercial activities first introduced their first MICA missile. Development took place until 1991 and was later put into its first trial in the same year. The missile was commissioned in 1996, initially armed onto French Rafale and Mirage 2000 before Mitra’s missile segment was later taken over by MBDA.

The latest member of the MICA missile family is the VL MICA. This missile is available in two variants, VL MICA for land operation and VL MICA-M for naval operation. Each variant is available in two options, either equipped with IR seeker or RF seeker. These optional features enable the missile to cater to different requirements of many armed forces. Overseeing the missile variants collectively, one can see that MICA missiles are able to operate from all three domains; land, air and sea.

VL MICA-M is a medium-range area defence missile, capable to engage targets within 12km range. It also has a lower operation ceiling compared to MBDA’s other surface-to-air missiles, at a maximum elevation of 11km. The missile is equipped with high-tech active radar homing, permitting it to independently lock onto targets with minimal external input. VL MICA-M has a maximum speed of Mach 3 with two seconds interval time between launch.

Due to its versatile features, the MICA missiles, particularly the VL MICA-M has been the weapon of choice by many armed forces. While the VL MICA is serving air forces all over the world, the VL MICA-M is currently in service with navies including the French Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman.