Sea Viper

Description: The Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS) is a joint program between France, Italy and the United Kingdom to develop the next-generation ship-based air defense system capable of engaging multiple simultaneous threats at ranges of 120 km. The primary goal of this air defense system is to engage hostile aircraft and anti-ship missiles to protect forces at sear and/or over land. MBDA is the prime contractor for the PAAMS missile system which is deemed as the European counterpart to the proven AEGIS weapon system.

The Sea Viper, called PAAMS (S) until 28 January 2009, has been selected to equip the Royal Navy's Type 45 anti-air warfare (AAW) destroyers. It comprises the Sampson multifunction radar replacing Empar on PAAMS (E), a combat management system, S1850M long-range surveillance radar, the Sylver vertical launch system (VLS), and the Aster 15 and Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles (SAM). The Sea Viper is optimized against aircraft, supersonic and sea-skimming anti-ship missiles.