Internationale ontwikkelingen maritiem

[Harald]

MBDA to double the range of Aster 15 surface-to-air missiles with Aster 15 EC upgrade

As reported by Meta Defense on April 11, 2024, the European company MBDA is set to introduce the Aster 15 EC, an update to the original Aster 15 short- to medium-range surface-to-air missile, promising to offer twice the efficiency of its predecessor. The Aster 15 was first utilized aboard the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in 2001, marking Europe's introduction to vertical launch surface-to-air missiles.

The Aster missile family includes two models: the Aster 15, which is designed for short to medium-range, and the Aster 30, which is intended for longer-range engagements. Both models have identical missile bodies, but the Aster 30 employs a larger booster to increase its range and speed. The Aster 15 is more compact at 4.2 meters in length and lighter at 310 kg compared to the Aster 30, which weighs 450 kg and has a length of just under 5 m. Due to its larger size, the Aster 30 requires the longer tubes of the Sylver A50 or A70 vertical launching systems (VLS) for naval deployments, although it is also compatible with the American Mark 41 Vertical Launching System.

The Aster series was used effectively for the first time in naval combat in late 2023 when French Navy frigates, Languedoc and Alsace, engaged Houthi drones and missiles in the Red Sea, firing over 22 missiles. The Aster 30 missile has also been included in the SAMP/T ground-based air defense system, a system supplied to Ukraine to counter Russian missiles.

In response to advancements in comparable systems, such as the American ESSM and the Russian 9M37 Buk, which now achieve ranges of up to 50 km and beyond, MBDA has decided to upgrade the Aster 15, similar to previous enhancements seen in the Aster 30 through various block upgrades. Originally, the Aster 15 had a range of up to 30 km, modest compared to the Aster 30's capability of over 120 km.

Developed as part of a missile family initiated by France and Italy in the 1990s, the Aster 15 is capable of reaching speeds of Mach 3, and has gained recognition for its agility and ability to intercept swiftly moving and maneuverable targets, including those flying at low or steep dive trajectories. Its active radar seeker facilitates autonomous tracking of stealth targets, allowing for the simultaneous launch of multiple missiles to counter saturating attacks effectively.

In line with the evolutionary trajectory of its counterpart, the Aster 30, which has progressed into the Block 1 and Block 1 NT versions with mid-range ballistic missile defense capabilities, the Aster 15 is set to receive a significant update. This new iteration, referred to as the Aster 15 EC (Enhanced Capabilities), seeks to align with the refined threat response capabilities of the Aster 30 Block 1 NT. While maintaining the physical dimensions required for integration into existing vertical launch systems like the Sylver A43 launchers found on vessels such as the Charles de Gaulle and the first six multi-mission frigates, the upgrade aims to enhance the missile's autodirector, guidance algorithms, flight profile, and onboard computational power. These enhancements are anticipated to double the missile's range and decrease the minimum engagement distance, thereby strengthening both long-range offensive and close-range defensive capabilities.

The development of the Aster 15 EC missile will be a crucial component of the modernization initiative for the four Horizon-class air defense frigates resulting from the Franco-Italian collaboration. This modernization effort includes the upgrading of radar and combat systems to newer iterations that enhance target detection and engagement capabilities. These enhancements are slated to commence with the Italian frigates Andrea Doria and Caio Duilio in 2027, followed by the French Forbin and Chevalier Paul in 2029 and 2030, respectively, coinciding with the integration of the Aster 15 EC.

Additionally, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier is scheduled for its third major technical stop in 2027, during which it will replace its existing firing installations with a new reconfigurable firing installation (ITR) specifically designed for the Aster 15 EC. This update corresponds with the replacement of the carrier's radar systems and the adoption of a centralized architecture for the combat direction system, thereby enhancing its overall self-defense capabilities.

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2024/april/14239-mbda-to-double-the-range-of-aster-15-surface-to-air-missiles-with-aster-15-ec-upgrade.html

[Harald]

Navy's new landing ship could cost billions more than planned: CBO

CBO says buying 18 medium landing ships could cost $3.6 billion more than the Navy expects, a 138 percent overrun.

The Navy's upcoming medium landing ship could cost billions more than the service plans, according to a new report by the Congressional Budget Office.

The CBO believes an 18-ship fleet would cost between $6.2 billion and $7.8 billion in 2024 (inflation-adjusted) dollars, or $340 million to $430 million per ship. That's a stark contrast to Navy figures, which, according to the CBO, has an 18-ship program at $2.6 billion total, or about $150 million per ship.

Even using the more optimistic CBO figure, the gap between the two totals is eyewatering: $3.6 billion more, or a 138 percent overrun.

However, the figures come with a very large caveat: CBO admits that there are a number of factors that could shift things up or down. Among them are design decisions (ships designed to commercial standards are cheaper than those of military standards) and quantity of buy (the Navy has discussed extending the buy up to 35 ships, which would impact both the per unit and overall costs significantly.)

The medium landing ship is part of the US Marine Corps Force Design 2030 effort, which has the Corps shifting away from some traditional missions and towards capabilities that supporters say will be most relevant in the Pacific. The new ship is intended to transport Marine littoral regiments in and around a conflict, with a focus on a potential conflict with China.

The program has actual funding laid out in the fiscal 2025 request: One ship purchased in FY25 and FY26, followed by two ships per year throughout the current future years defense program ending in FY29. The requested funding for FY25 is $268 million with future years' requests gradually ramping up to above $300 million in FY28 and FY29.

The characteristics being discussed by service leaders put the length of the ship between 200 to 400 feet, with a speed of 14 knots and a range of 3,500 nautical miles. The ship would require a crew of 70, and is supposed to be able to transit 50 marines plus equipment, with a 20 year service life.

The Marine Corps began the formal request for soliciting proposals earlier this year and will spend much of 2024 receiving and evaluating potential offers. A contract to the chosen shipbuilder is anticipated for award in March 2025 and the first ship will be due for delivery roughly four years later in February 2029, according to the new budget documents.

According to OMB, the Navy awarded early contracts to five contractors for preliminary work on the design: "Austal Shipbuilding, Bollinger Shipbuilding, Fincantieri Marinette Marine, VT Halter Marine (now owned by Bollinger and renamed Bollinger Mississippi), and TAI Engineers."

https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/navys-new-landing-ship-could-cost-billions-more-than-planned-cbo/

[Parera]

Oude wijn in nieuwe zakken.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Towers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea-based_X-band_Radar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maunsell_Forts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humber_Forts

Die ken ik, ik had het meer over het herladen van de VLS cellen op zee op deze manier. Een slimme oplossing, al is het natuurlijk een semi-stationair platform waardoor het voor een vijand relatief makkelijk te lokaliseren is.

[Ace1]

Dat niemand hier eerder over na gedacht heeft

Oude wijn in nieuwe zakken.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Towers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea-based_X-band_Radar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maunsell_Forts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humber_Forts

[Parera]

Dat niemand hier eerder over na gedacht heeft
Concept Turns Oil Rigs Into Mobile Missile Defense And Supply Bases
https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/sea-air-space-2024/2024/04/leidos-concept-turns-oil-rigs-into-mobile-missile-defense-and-supply-bases/

[Parera]

Ja ik zie mogelijkheden, zeker omdat de CLAS ook IRIS-T gaat krijgen op de G5's. Mogelijkheden tot samenwerking    De PAC3 zal nog een uitdaging worden, de US gaat het op dit moment alleen ontwikkelen voor AEGIS. Als wij PAC3 maritiem willen moeten we dat dus zelf ontwikkelen (CMS aansturing).

[Huzaar1]

Ofwel, de kans op succes in Taiwan is het groots vanaf nu tot en met 2038.

[Huzaar1]

Iris-T SLM is planned to be integrated into VLS for naval vessels


In order to provide sufficient ammunition ....for the units at sea, Diehl can imagine another concept: the use of Iris-T SLM on ideally unmanned escort ships that are assigned to high-value units such as the Class 124 air defense frigates and carry a large number of missiles . The missiles are then instructed and guided by the frigates' sensors. 

The Dutch Navy is already pursuing such a project, which wants to procure two small ships with few crews. These should have a larger number of containerized air defense missiles and accompany the Dutch Navy's combat ships at a distance of just a few kilometers. With the help of these magazine ships, volleys of incoming missiles can also be repelled in an emergency, or so the Dutch imagine. Apparently it has not yet been decided which missiles should be equipped on the ships.

https://www.hartpunkt.de/iris-t-slm-soll-in-vls-fuer-marineschiffe-integriert-werden/

[Ace1]

[Parera]

Iris-T SLM is planned to be integrated into VLS for naval vessels



The German air defense specialist Diehl Defense sees additional potential for its surface-to-air missiles in applications in the maritime environment. As a spokesman for hartpunkt confirmed, the Iris-T SLM surface-to-air missile, which is currently being used with great success in Ukraine, is now to be integrated into a Vertical Launching System (VLS). The extended-range Iris-T SLX, which is still in development, and the future hypersonic defense missile based on the Iris-T will be designed from the outset for use from ships and firing from a VLS, as previously reported. Only the Iris-T SLS for short range is no longer considered for such a scenario.

Due to the performance data of the Iris-T SLM SLM - the SLM stands for Surface Launched Medium Range - which the manufacturer states with a range of around 40 km and an altitude coverage of up to 20 km, the weapon would be suitable as armament for naval ships that do not have missiles for air defense on the scale of an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM). However, it is also conceivable that the Iris-T could be carried alongside the ESSM. The prerequisite for this is the presence of a VLS.

Integration into Vertical Launching System
Diehl is currently working on integrating the Iris-T SLM into Lockheed Martin's Mk 41 vertical takeoff system. The starter is probably the most widely used system of its kind in the world. The German Navy also uses the Mk 41. The VLS Sylver is also used, especially in Europe, and is particularly used by the French and Italian navies.

According to Diehl circles, the governments have already given the green light for the use of the Mk 41. Discussions between the two companies are now underway at a specialist level. According to Lockheed Martin, the VLS is fundamentally open to the integration of non-US missiles such as the French-Italian Aster or the Israeli Barak. The VLS is available in different versions. For large missiles such as the Tomahawk cruise missile or an SM-3, the Strike variant is required, while the so-called Tactical Module should be sufficient for the Iris-T SLM.

Lockheed Martin wants to navalize PAC-3 MSE
Lockheed itself is taking a similar approach to Diehl and has already undertaken simulation tests with its PAC-3 MSE air defense missile in the Mk41 starter that it manufactures. According to the company, modifications were made to the PAC-3 MSE in order to achieve compatibility with the VLS and the Aegis command and weapon deployment system (FüWes). Last June, Lockheed Martin validated the missile's ability to communicate with the Aegis guidance system and a data link with the SPY-1 radar. For this purpose, the dual-band data link of the PAC-3 MSE has been expanded to a tri-band data link in order to communicate in the S-band. The US Navy's Aegis system and SPY-1 radar are designed to use the S-band.

A launch from a ship is still imminent in the coming months. So far, the PAC-3 is only used on the Patriot air defense system. The guided missile is guided by the C2 software supplied by Patriot manufacturer Raytheon, which will be replaced in the USA in the future by ICBS from the defense company Northrop Grumman. In the upcoming "hot" launch from a ship, however, the rocket will be controlled by Aegis, which was also developed by Lockheed Martin. Aegis is reportedly also set for the German Navy's future F127 frigates.

The PAC-3 is also used by the Patriot units of the Bundeswehr and was intended as the main weapon for the Tactical Air Defense System (TLVS), in which the Iris-T SLM played the role as a secondary weapon. With the use of a ship, Lockheed Martin said it would open up an additional field of application for the PAC-3 MSE, which is optimized for defense against ballistic missiles with a so-called hit-to-kill warhead. According to the defense company's ideas, the US Navy could cover key capabilities and close capacity gaps by using the PAC-3.

This would increase the magazine depth for the using navy if the inventory of missiles specifically designed for use at sea, for example for missile defense, were to decrease quickly due to a conflict and production of these weapons cannot be ramped up in the short term.

Lockheed Martin says it is currently in the process of expanding PAC-3 production. Currently, the production line can produce 550 PAC-3 MSE per year, the company writes in a statement. This number should be increased to 650.

Another example of the navalization of surface-to-air missiles - but this time for the short range - is the Israeli Iron Dome system. This has been modified in recent years by the manufacturer Rafael for use at sea and is known as the C-Dome The most modern Israeli corvettes of the Sa'ar-6 class have been integrated into their own VLS. The ships have 40 cells of the C-Dome VLS. A few days ago, on April 8th, a ship of this class succeeded in shooting down a drone flying towards the port city of Eilat in the Red Sea for the first time, as the Israeli armed forces announced.

Diehl apparently assumes that an Iris-T can be integrated into the VLS Mk41. The expenses for this are likely to lie primarily in the one-off costs for proof and qualification. Finally, the Iris-T must also be able to launch safely if the launch system is mixed with other missiles - according to the VLS manufacturer Lockheed Martin, a wide range from the ESSM, SM-6 to the ASROC is integrated. This requires extensive investigations.

However, the use of an Iris-T SLM at sea also requires integration into a command and weapon deployment system. The guided missile is guided to the target area by the radar, and in the "end game" the Iris-T itself takes over the target acquisition with its passive infrared seeker head. The latter is rarely used for missiles for use from ships, as fog and clouds can limit performance - or so the theory goes. However, due to the combat use of the Iris-T SLM in Ukraine for more than a year under all conceivable weather conditions, Diehl experts assume that this effect does not occur.

The company also apparently sees no problems with taking off from a ship that is lurching due to heavy seas. After all, the Iris-T SLM is derived from an air-to-air missile that must be launched under high physical stress.

Advantages in logistics
Using the Iris-T SLM for the Navy would bring a number of logistical and training advantages for the Bundeswehr, as the weapon will also be used by the Air Force. In addition, it is an ITAR-free product whose further development could focus on national interests and national sovereignty. Due to the higher overall requirement for a ship application, expanded production could also result in economies of scale and thus cost savings.

What is important - especially given the high consumption of guided missiles to defend against Houthi attacks in the Red Sea - is the greater magazine depth for the German armed forces. According to press reports, there could possibly be bottlenecks in the procurement of SM-2 missiles for the Sachsen-class frigates. Among other things, because these have to be tailored to the special features of the German fire control radar.

In order to provide sufficient ammunition for the units at sea, Diehl can imagine another concept: the use of Iris-T SLM on ideally unmanned escort ships that are assigned to high-value units such as the Class 124 air defense frigates and carry a large number of missiles . The missiles are then instructed and guided by the frigates' sensors. 

The Dutch Navy is already pursuing such a project, which wants to procure two small ships with few crews. These should have a larger number of containerized air defense missiles and accompany the Dutch Navy's combat ships at a distance of just a few kilometers. With the help of these magazine ships, volleys of incoming missiles can also be repelled in an emergency, or so the Dutch imagine. Apparently it has not yet been decided which missiles should be equipped on the ships.

https://www.hartpunkt.de/iris-t-slm-soll-in-vls-fuer-marineschiffe-integriert-werden/

[Harald]

Lockheed Martin invests in PAC-3 MSE integration for Aegis weapon system

As maritime threats evolve, it's critical for naval forces to update their defensive technologies. The inclusion of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) into naval operations reflects an effort to address this need by providing a means to counter complex threats.

The combination of the PAC-3 MSE with the Aegis Weapon System signifies a strategic advancement in naval defense capabilities. This integration aims to augment the defensive posture of naval forces, enabling them to effectively counter complex threats, including those specifically designed to bypass naval defenses.

Technological investments have been made to ensure the PAC-3 MSE's compatibility with existing naval defense systems, including the MK41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) and the Aegis Weapon System. A significant milestone was achieved with the successful test of the PAC-3 MSE's upgraded communication capabilities with the Aegis Weapon System, facilitated by an enhancement to its datalink. This modification allows for communication at frequencies compatible with Aegis. A forthcoming live-fire test is expected to further demonstrate this capability.

Overview of PAC-3 MSE
The PAC-3 MSE is designed to intercept and neutralize a diverse array of airborne threats through direct impact, utilizing Hit-to-Kill technology. This capability is pivotal in addressing tactical ballistic missiles, advanced aircraft, and other threats, providing a critical layer of defense for naval operations.

Aegis Weapon System
Serving as a cornerstone of naval defense for the U.S. Navy and international allies, the Aegis Weapon System is a comprehensive combat system offering integrated air and missile defense capabilities. Its adaptability and continuous evolution through software and system upgrades enable it to remain at the forefront of maritime defense technology, effectively countering emerging threats.

MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS)
The integration of the PAC-3 MSE into the Aegis Weapon System necessitates its compatibility with the MK41 VLS, a foundational element of naval defense architecture. The MK41 VLS is recognized for its reliability and versatility in missile launching, contributing to the overall efficacy and resilience of maritime defense operations.

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2024/april/14236-lockheed-martin-invests-in-pac-3-mse-integration-for-aegis-weapon-system.html

[jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)]

Ik heb het ook niet over de LPX/ATS maar over de vervangers van de mercuur, peli en HOV's.

Ook die zullen onderhands in NL worden aanbesteed, Danen kan, maar ligt gezien de soort schepen niet direct voor de hand, deze kunne ook prima in Noord Nederland gebouwd worden.

[Parera]

Je vraag mag je stellen en onmiddellijk weer vergeten, de aanstaande LPX'en of hoe we ze ook gaan noemen zullen onderhands worden aanbesteed.

De hoofdaannemer kan je zelf verzinnen, of deze 6 schepen zelf zal gaan bouwen of dat één, meerderen of allen bij één of meerdere onderaannemers gebouwd zullen worden is dan weer vraag twee.

Ik heb het ook niet over de LPX/ATS maar over de vervangers van de mercuur, peli en HOV's.

[jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)]

Voor zover ik weet loopt dit nog.

Of zou Fassmer willen meedingen naar de NL support schepen vervanging met enkele van deze ontwerpen?

Je vraag mag je stellen en onmiddellijk weer vergeten, de aanstaande LPX'en of hoe we ze ook gaan noemen zullen onderhands worden aanbesteed.

De hoofdaannemer kan je zelf verzinnen, of deze 6 schepen zelf zal gaan bouwen of dat één, meerderen of allen bij één of meerdere onderaannemers gebouwd zullen worden is dan weer vraag twee.

[Parera]

Loopt de tender nog of is er al een winnaar bekend?

Voor zover ik weet loopt dit nog.

Of zou Fassmer willen meedingen naar de NL support schepen vervanging met enkele van deze ontwerpen?