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2024-02-01

£405M Revamp to Sharpen Sea Viper Fang

In a strategic move to bolster the Royal Navy’s defence capabilities against air attacks, the combat-proven Sea Viper system is poised for a comprehensive near-decade-long revamp. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has officially greenlit a substantial £405 million upgrade for the missile system, which has been actively deployed in recent weeks by HMS Diamond to safeguard shipping in the Red Sea.

The upcoming enhancements will be executed through three contracts with MBDA UK, the manufacturer of the Sea Viper missile system.

The first two contracts are specifically geared towards a substantial upgrade of Sea Viper on board HMS Diamond and its five sister ships. These enhancements aim to fortify the system’s capabilities, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of cutting-edge defence technology.

The third contract is dedicated to ensuring enhanced in-service support and availability of the Sea Viper system for the next five years. This measure underlines the MOD’s focus on long-term sustainability, ensuring that the upgraded missile system remains operationally reliable during critical missions.

Tracking Ability

In service for more than a decade, Sea Viper – the name covers the entire weapons system, including two radars, the command system and the Aster missile which is Viper’s ‘bite’ – can currently track hundreds of potential threats to an individual ship or task group at ranges up to 250 miles, and eliminate them when they close to around 70 miles.

The first phase of the upgrade focuses on enhancing the Aster 30 missile, making it capable of intercepting the latest anti-ship ballistic missile threats. This involves modifications to the 16-foot-tall missile, weighing nearly half a tonne and capable of speeds exceeding Mach 3.

Additionally, the upgrade includes enhancements to the Sampson multi-function radar, the ‘spiky egg’ atop the main mast, as well as improvements to the Command and Control system and Combat Management System.

Ballistic Bite

The next stage of what is termed ‘the Sea Viper evolution’ will evaluate the introduction of the new Aster 30 Block 1NT missile, currently under development with France and Italy. It features a new seeker to improve the existing ballistic missile defence capabilities of Type 45 destroyers.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced the programme of upgrades following a visit to HMS Diamond in the Red Sea to thank the ship’s company for their ongoing.

The work on Sea Viper will sustain 350 UK jobs, notably highly-skilled technology roles in Stevenage, Cowes, Bristol and Bolton, and will also involve employees from MBDA across the UK, France and Italy working alongside colleagues from BAE Systems.

MBDA’s three contracts are primarily aimed at boosting the Sea Viper principal area air defence system of the Type 45 destroyers.

MBDA takes the helm as the prime contractor and design authority for the Sea Viper weapon system. This comprehensive role encompasses oversight of the sensor (radar), command and control system, and the missile, positioning MBDA at the forefront of ensuring the system’s effectiveness.

Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK, said: “These contracts will make Sea Viper the most capable naval air defence system ever developed for the Royal Navy in our 60-year history as the Navy’s primary air defence system supplier. They will also see the UK enhance the co-operation with France and Italy through MBDA by joining the Aster 30 Block 1 programme, giving the UK the ability to defeat anti-ship ballistic missiles.”

Missile Upgrades

The main element of Sea Viper Evolution will see the Royal Navy’s existing Aster 30 missiles receive upgraded Block 1 warheads and new guidance and seeker software to deal with new anti-ship ballistic missile threats.

The Type 45’s Sampson multi-function radar, and combat management system will also be upgraded. An integrated team from MBDA across the UK, France and Italy is conducting the work together with BAE Systems Maritime Services.

Scott Jamieson, Managing Director, BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business, said: “Our Radar business is excited to be working with MBDA on the Sea Viper Evolution upgrade to our SAMPSON Radar on board the UK’s Type 45 Destroyers.”

The second part of Sea Viper Evolution is an assessment phase evaluating adding the new Aster 30 Block 1NT missile to the Type 45 destroyers, as well as improvements to the radar and the wider weapon system.

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