French Army Discussions & Updates

[BMD]

@Ashwin, probably worth a sticky?

Eurosam unveils new SAMP/T air defense variant at Dubai Airshow

The system has a 150-kilometer interception range and a 350-kilometer detection range, and it features a 360-degree multifunctional radar fitted with a rotating active electronically scanned array antenna based on gallium nitride technology.

www.defensenews.com

Eurosam unveils new SAMP/T air defense variant at Dubai Airshow​

By Agnes Helou
Nov 16, 2021

The SAMP/T NG uses the Aster 30 Block 1 missile. (Agnes Helou/Staff)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The European consortium of Thales and MBDA unveiled its new long-range, ground-based air defense system, SAMP/T NG, the updated variant of the SAMP/T already in service with the Italian Army and the French Air and Space Force.

“The ground-based air defense system has undergone verification, qualificatio,n and launched production in 2021, and is expected to be delivered by 2025 to the first contractor: France and Italy,” Eva Bruxmeier, Eurosam’s managing director, told reporters at the Dubai Airshow, which is taking place Nov. 14-18.

SAMP/T NG was designed to protect armed forces and sensitive civil or military sites. The system has a 150-kilometer interception range and a 350-kilometer detection range, and it features a 360-degree multifunctional radar fitted with a rotating active electronically scanned array antenna based on gallium nitride technology — either the Kronos Grand Mobile radar by Leonardo, which Italy chose, or the Ground Fire 300 radar by Thales, which France chose.

@Picdelamirand-oil Bit confusing this story. Does the NG exclusively use Block 1 missile or both Block 1 & 2? Is 150km range with Block 1? Has it entered service?

 

[Picdelamirand-oil]

WHAT THE BLOCK 1NT BRINGS TO THE ASTER FAMILY ?​

Aster 30 Block 1NT modification consists in a new seeker operating in Ka band and a new weapon controller and retains same size, mass and booster:

• Extension of the Extended Air Defence domain
  • Current Aster 30 Block 1 missile with Ku-band seeker allows for neutralization of 600 km range ballistic threats (Scud class)
  • Aster 30 Block 1NT Ka-band seeker brings
    • Increased target acquisition range
    • Acquisition of targets with lower radar cross section
    • Thinner angular resolution for increased accuracy of target localisation
    • Increased direct impact probability
• Increased footprint of defended areas
• Full compatibility and interoperability across ground and naval systems

All these features bring a step change in capability:

• Aster 30 Block 1NT covers the entire SRBM (Short Range Ballistic Missile) threat domain and the entry of the MRBM (Medium Range) domain up to 1.500 km range
• Aster 30 Block 1NT is capable of coping with Tactical Ballistic Missiles with separable warheads
• Combined use of Ku-band and Ka-band Asters will provide increased resistance to Electronic Counter Measures

Current Aster 30 Block 1NT contract covers:

• Development of the new ammunition
• Upgrade to the SAMP/T system to allow combined use of Aster 30 Block 1 and Aster 30 Block 1NT

This new programme brings further potential due to family concept of systems:

• Currently, Aster 30 is the missile of the PAAMS systems on French and Italian frigates and of the Sea Viper system on Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers, dedicated to the Anti Air Warfare mission
• Italian Navy has selected Aster systems based on Aster 30 Block 1NT for 5 ships of its new PPA (Pattugliatori Polivalenti d’Altura) class
• Royal Navy has engaged feasibility studies and trials to extend the Sea Viper capability to cope with the emerging ASBM (Anti -Ship Ballistic Missile) threat

 

[BMD]

WHAT THE BLOCK 1NT BRINGS TO THE ASTER FAMILY ?​

Aster 30 Block 1NT modification consists in a new seeker operating in Ka band and a new weapon controller and retains same size, mass and booster:

• Extension of the Extended Air Defence domain
  • Current Aster 30 Block 1 missile with Ku-band seeker allows for neutralization of 600 km range ballistic threats (Scud class)
  • Aster 30 Block 1NT Ka-band seeker brings
    • Increased target acquisition range
    • Acquisition of targets with lower radar cross section
    • Thinner angular resolution for increased accuracy of target localisation
    • Increased direct impact probability
• Increased footprint of defended areas
• Full compatibility and interoperability across ground and naval systems

All these features bring a step change in capability:

• Aster 30 Block 1NT covers the entire SRBM (Short Range Ballistic Missile) threat domain and the entry of the MRBM (Medium Range) domain up to 1.500 km range
• Aster 30 Block 1NT is capable of coping with Tactical Ballistic Missiles with separable warheads
• Combined use of Ku-band and Ka-band Asters will provide increased resistance to Electronic Counter Measures

Current Aster 30 Block 1NT contract covers:

• Development of the new ammunition
• Upgrade to the SAMP/T system to allow combined use of Aster 30 Block 1 and Aster 30 Block 1NT

This new programme brings further potential due to family concept of systems:

• Currently, Aster 30 is the missile of the PAAMS systems on French and Italian frigates and of the Sea Viper system on Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers, dedicated to the Anti Air Warfare mission
• Italian Navy has selected Aster systems based on Aster 30 Block 1NT for 5 ships of its new PPA (Pattugliatori Polivalenti d’Altura) class
• Royal Navy has engaged feasibility studies and trials to extend the Sea Viper capability to cope with the emerging ASBM (Anti -Ship Ballistic Missile) threat

So the Block 1 NT is same size as Block 1, so is the range 150km for Aster 30 or Aster 15? And it can hit 1,500km range SRBMs.

 

[BMD]

I doubt an APS would even see this round coming.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1527717317961990144

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1541819769724325888

 

[BMD]

Crotale NG Short Range Air Defence System

Crotale NG (Next Generation) is an all-weather short-range and multi-sensor air defence system developed by Thales Air Defense (formerly Thomson-CSF Airsys). The missions of the system are in front-line armoured brigade defence, permanent or semi-permanent site defence and area defence against...

www.army-technology.com

Crotale NG Short Range Air Defence System​

Crotale NG (Next Generation) is an all-weather short-range and multi-sensor air defence system developed by Thales Air Defense (formerly Thomson-CSF Airsys).

Frequency​

S-band pulse Doppler radar

Modes​

Sectored surveillance, search on the move

IFF​

Built-in IFF antenna

Range​

20km