The Ministry of Defence continues to consider the second stage of Sea Viper Evolution, using the Aster 30 Block 1 NT missile, as part of wider capability planning, according to an answer given in Parliament.
Ben Obese-Jecty, the Conservative MP for Huntingdon, asked what progress had been made in delivering Capability 2. Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, replied: “The Ministry of Defence continues to consider the Sea Viper Evolution Capability 2 programme as part of its wider capability planning. The UK is already delivering enhanced Ballistic Missile Defence capability through the Sea Viper Capability 1 programme.”
Pollard said in January that Capability 2 would provide theatre-level ballistic missile defence and was in an assessment phase, with Capability 1 expected to reach Full Operating Capability in late 2032. The Aster 30 Block 1 NT, developed by Britain, France and Italy, has a new seeker and was test-fired for a second time in France in July 2025.
The Aster 30 Block 1 NT is a two-stage, solid-fuel surface-to-air missile developed by MBDA. It measures approximately 4.9 metres in length, has a diameter of 180mm and weighs around 450kg, retaining the dimensions and propulsion arrangement of the existing Aster 30 family. The missile incorporates a new Ka-band active radar seeker and an upgraded weapon controller, replacing the earlier Ku-band seeker arrangement. According to MBDA, the changes improve target acquisition, angular resolution and interception accuracy, particularly against ballistic missiles with smaller radar signatures. The system is designed to engage short-range ballistic missiles and certain medium-range ballistic missile threats, including weapons with separating warheads. The manufacturer states that its ballistic missile defence capability extends to threats with launch ranges of up to 1,500 kilometres.
Sea Viper is the Royal Navy’s principal area air defence system and is installed aboard the six Type 45 destroyers. It combines the SAMPSON multifunction radar, S1850M long-range surveillance radar, combat management equipment and Aster missiles launched from 48 Sylver vertical launch cells. Capability 1 involves upgrading existing Aster 30 missiles to Block 1 standard, alongside modifications to the SAMPSON radar, weapon command and control arrangements and combat management system. Capability 2 would introduce the Block 1 NT missile and further modifications to the associated sensors and weapon system, extending the range of ballistic missile threats that the destroyers could engage. The Block 1 NT retains compatibility with the Sylver A50 vertical launch system used by the Royal Navy, allowing the missile to be accommodated within the existing launcher architecture.
Type 45 batch 2. Stretched at the rear to accommodate another 48 cell VLS filled with Aster 30s. Order 6 ships. Sampson is free since the first six ships paid the NRE. New ships should be cheap. The power problem won’t be repeated. 12 / 3 = 4 ships on operations at any one time. Seems a no brainer.
A T31 evolution would be an easier route to additional Aster missiles. MOD has placed a contract to look at Mk41 integration
If it will work from Mk41, apparently Artisan NG could have sufficient performance to guide it. So that would give the option of refitting Artisan NG to the T26, 24 cells for Aster or Stratos
T26 is also a route a proposed by Bae. Instead of mission bay MK41 cells.
T45 is a near 30 year design. Little point rehashing when more modern options could be built more cheaply.
LUSV with MK41 with CEC to T45 would also be an option to add missile numbers
No chance. There is no money. I am a great fan of Sampson, but building it now would be impossible. It is time for the Next Generation Radar, but that will not be free. Type 83 and FADS has come and gone, more capabilities remain to be lost, I fear. Even 2032 might be too late.
FADS has certainly not gone.
I was not sure if the Aster 30 block 1 NT could be accommodated in the slyver A50 VLS. If it can we should definitely peruse it. We should also peruse in on land with our own SAMP/T NG systems. Now that Leonardo is committed to building land based radar is the UK there is no reason we can’t get the Kronos radars built in the UK. The Kronos can also interface with CAMM missiles.
The UK should jump in and join EUORSAM as a full on member and we should also have a works about joining the MBDA Aquila development, while it’s supposed to be an EU only effort I’m sure we can get Brussels to budge given our current good relationship and common need to replace US dependence.
Hopefully future British warships can accommodate Aquila, CAMM MR and Aster 30 NT.
How does Kronos interface with CAMM?
The Italians use it with their version of CAMM. It can provide tracking data to the missile in its initial phase before its own radar tracks the target.
Much the same way SAMPSON on T45 can provide data to both CAMM and Aster.
It’s in the assessment phase which means it has zero chance as thing currently stand of seeing the light of day.
Surely this decision will come and be dependent on the type 45 life extension and this will most likely come as a result of the spending review. If the spending review commits to 3% by 2030 and a believable plan to 3.5 by 2035 then I think we will see life extension plus NT on type 45 and a destroyer replacement concept.
Remember the DIP was based on 2.7% to 2030 and then magic maybes after that.
Can anyone confirm if the former Aster 15 stock has or will be upgraded to Aster 30 B1NT standard? Or, as I think the French have done, doubled its range, its still pretty useful stock and worth a few quid?
Would it be possible for the Sylver 50s to be quad/tri/duo packed with CAMM/ER/MR as that could give an uplift in missile loadout if Aster is a bit short in supply?
And if the 2×4 NSMs are put in a more series alignment would there be room to put additional non deck piercing CAMM farm blocks (of 6-8) right behind the Aster silos? If these T45 ships go on long patrols and reloading at sea is not an option (yet) and T91 are not yet built it could be a quick and easy fix? All for “Increasing lethality” and all that.