The Principle Anti Air Missile System (PAAMS) is a joint French/Italian/British program for a naval anti-aircraft weapon.

The PAAMS system was designed to be deployed on the Horizon CNGF (Common New Generation Frigate) for the navies of the partner nations. Due to differing requirements, irreconcilable differences in the design required lead to the UK leaving the project. However although now pursuing a national warship design the UK remained committed to PAAMS.

Prime contractor for PAAMS is MBDA. The system is designed to allow equipped vessels to protect themselves and escorted vessels against all missile and aircraft threats. The system will also be capable of operating close inshore to provide air defence for ground forces, e.g. amphibious landing.

The system will provide a step change in capability over current systems, e.g the Type 42's Sea Dart missile which is vulnerable to low level and saturation attacks. The Aster missiles were designed from the outset to intercept sea-skimming missiles and the SYLVER launcher provides a maxmium firing rate of 6 missiles per second.

PAAMS Components

• SAMPSON (British) or EMPAR (French/Italian) Multi-function radar
• Automatic Command and control system
• DCN SYLVER vertical missile launcher
• MBDA Aster Missiles Missiles
  • Aster 15 - Short range
  • Aster 30 - Medium to long range
• Alenia Marconi Systems S1850M Long Range/Early Warning Radar.

Applications

• Royal Navy Type 45
• Horizon class anti-air warfare frigates

External Links

• MBDA Aster Site