Aster (missile family)
The Aster 15 and Aster 30 are a Franco-Italian family of all-weather, vertical launch surface-to-air missiles. The name "Aster" stands for "Aérospatiale Terminale", with French company Aérospatiale having been the project's lead contractor before its missile activities were merged into MBDA. It also takes inspiration from the word "aster" (Greek: ἀστήρ), meaning "star" in Ancient Greek. The missiles as well as the related weapon systems are manufactured by Eurosam, a consortium consisting of MBDA France, MBDA Italy and Thales, each holding a 33.3% share.
| Aster | |
|---|---|
MBDA Aster 30 on display showing attached booster. | |
| Type | Surface-to-air/anti-ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | France Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2001–present |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Eurosam |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Aster 15: 310 kg Aster 30: 450 kg |
| Length | Aster 15: 4.2 m Aster 30: 4.9 m |
| Diameter | Aster 15 & 30: 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Warhead | 15 kg focused fragmented warhead with 2 m lethal radius |
Detonation mechanism | Calculated delay proximity fuze |
| Engine | Solid propellant, two-stage motor |
Operational range | Aster 15: 30+ km Aster 30 Block 0 & 1: 120+ km Aster 30 Block 1 NT: 150+ km |
| Flight altitude | Aster 15: 13 km Aster 30 Block 0 & 1: 20 km Aster 30 Block 1NT: 25 km-class |
| Maximum speed | Aster 15: Mach 3 (1,000 m/s) Aster 30: Mach 4.5 (1,400 m/s) |
Guidance system |
|
Launch platform |
|
The Aster missiles were developed to intercept and destroy the full spectrum of air threats from high-performance combat aircraft, UAVs and helicopters to cruise, anti-radiation and even sea-skimming supersonic anti-ship missiles. The Aster 30 Block 1 and Block 1 NT were designed to counter ballistic missiles.
The Aster is primarily operated by France, Italy, as well as the United Kingdom as an export customer, and is an integrated component of the PAAMS air defence system, known in the Royal Navy as Sea Viper. As the principal weapon of the PAAMS, the Aster equips the Horizon-class frigates in French and Italian service as well as the British Type 45 destroyers. It equips the French and Italian FREMM multipurpose frigates, though not through the PAAMS air defense suite itself but specific French and Italian derivatives of the system.