Successful PAAMS(E) System Qualification Firing

EADS, On May 14th, 2007 the last system qualification firing of the Franco-Italian PAAMS(E) ASTER System has been performed. 
 
This successful firing was carried out in the frame of the tripartite PAAMS naval programme (France, Italy, United Kingdom) at the CELM Mediterranean Test Centre with a PAAMS(E) system on board of the Italian ship Carabiniere. 
 
The firing profile was representative of an Air Defence Frigate fitted with the PAAMS(E) System defending a consort ship attacked by two subsonic missiles flying at very low altitude. 
 
The first target was to be intercepted by a simulated ASTER 30 and the second target was to be intercepted by a real ASTER 30. 
 
For the purpose of this firing, the PAAMS(E) System comprised the EMPAR Fire Control System, the SYLVER Vertical Launcher and the ASTER 30 missile. All the successive phases of the engagement were successfully executed, the second target being intercepted and directly hit at medium range by ASTER 30, at the intended range. 
 
This ASTER 30 firing extends a long list of earlier successes with the ASTER missile: 
 
– ASTER 30 PAAMS successful firings on 1st June 2005, 12th October 2005 and 23rd May 2006; 
 
– Successful SAAM-FR ASTER 15 missiles firing from the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle in 2005 and 2006; 
 
– ASTER 30 successful SAMP/T system qualification firings on 26th July 2005, 20th December 2005 and 14th November 2006.  
 
Background Information 
 
1. The PAAMS Principal Anti-Air Missile System will be fitted on the HORIZON Franco Italian Frigates and the Type 45 UK Destroyers. The PAAM(E) System is made up of a Fire Control System including the EMPAR Radar and SYLVER Vertical Launchers associated with the ASTER 15 & ASTER 30 missiles. 
 
2 The SAAM-FR of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is made up of a Fire Control System including ARABEL Radar and SYLVER Vertical Launchers associated with the ASTER 15 missile. 
 
3 The SAAM-IT is made up of a Fire Control System including the EMPAR Radar and SYLVER Vertical Launchers associated with the ASTER 15 missile. 
 
4 The SAMP/T “Sol Air Moyenne Portée Terrestre” (Medium Range Surface to Air Land Missile) is made up of a Fire Control System including the ARABEL Radar and Identification Module and the Engagement Module, with 4 to 6 Vertical Launchers associated with the ASTER 30 missiles.