Aerial Warfare

French Directorate General of Armament Successfully Conducts First Test of ASTER 30 B1 New Technology Missile

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French Directorate General of Armament Successfully Conducts First Test of ASTER 30 B1 New Technology Missile
French Directorate General of Armament Successfully Conducts First Test of ASTER 30 B1 New Technology Missile

On October 8, the French Directorate General of Armaments (Direction générale de l’armement, DGA) conducted the first qualification firing of the next-generation Franco-Italian surface-to-air defense system at the DGA missile testing site in Biscarrosse, Landes. The event was attended by Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans. This milestone marks the first development test of the ASTER 30 B1 New Technology missile. The DGA’s missile testing center led the entire operation, which included target deployment and ensuring the safety of personnel and assets in the exercise zone. This test represents a significant step forward in enhancing the capabilities of France and Italy’s air defense systems.

The Aster 15 and Aster 30 are a Franco-Italian family of all-weather, vertical launch surface-to-air missiles. The name “Aster” stands for “Aérospatiale Terminale”, with French company Aérospatiale having been the project’s lead contractor before its missile activities were merged into MBDA. It also takes inspiration from the word “aster”, meaning “star” in Ancient Greek. The missiles as well as the related weapon systems are manufactured by Eurosam. The Aster 30 has been incorporated by Eurosam into a mobile SAM system, fulfilling the ground-based theatre air defence/protection requirement. It comes in the form of the Sol-Air Moyenne-Portée/Terrestre (French for “Surface-to-Air Medium-Range/Land-based”), abbreviated as SAMP/T.

The ASTER 30 B1 New Technology missile is set to equip the future Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG medium-range ground-based air defense system and naval platforms in both nations that are equipped with advanced anti-air systems. The SAMP/T NG (Sol-Air Moyenne Portée/Terrestre Nouvelle Génération) program is a collaborative effort between France and Italy, developed by EUROSAM—a joint venture comprising MBDA France, MBDA Italy, and Thales. The program is overseen by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) and aims to bolster airspace security against a wide range of aerial threats, including aircraft, missiles, and drones.

The recent qualification test featured a complex air defense scenario, deploying two aerial targets. One target simulated an enemy fighter, while the other represented a friendly aircraft that needed protection. This setup allowed the system to demonstrate its ability to differentiate between hostile and friendly targets, ensuring precise engagement under challenging conditions. This test is a crucial step in the development of the SAMP/T NG system, paving the way for improved defense capabilities in both France and Italy. The system’s advanced technology is expected to provide enhanced protection against increasingly sophisticated threats, solidifying the Franco-Italian partnership in air defense innovation.

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