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European multinational defence developer MBDA has secured three contracts worth £400 million (AU$773.8 million) to sustain the Sea Viper principal area air defence system of the United Kingdom Royal Navy destroyers.
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Two Sea Viper Evolution contracts are envisioned to enable the Daring Class Type 45 Destroyers to defend the Carrier Strike Group against anti-ship ballistic missiles, while another contract will provide extended and enhanced in-service support for Sea Viper for a further five years.
MBDA is the prime contractor and design authority for the Sea Viper weapon system, including the command-and-control system, radar sensor and missile.
“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,” said MBDA UK managing director Chris Allam.
“They will also see the UK further enhance the cooperation with France and Italy through MBDA by joining the Aster 30 Block 1 program, giving the UK the ability to defeat anti-ship ballistic missiles.”
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, while retaining its world-leading anti-air warfare capability.
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.
“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,” according to Scott Jamieson, BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business managing director.
“This new capability will form a key element of the UK’s Maritime Ballistic Missile Defence program.”
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 further improvements to the radar and the wider weapon system, to provide world-leading capabilities against medium range manoeuvring and separating ballistic missiles.
The extended ISS contract will continue to build upon MBDA’s data-driven approach to optimise stockpile availability, ensuring the Royal Navy have weapons ready at time of need.
MBDA is jointly owned by European multinational aerospace manufacturer Airbus (37.5 per cent), British multinational defence company BAE Systems (37.5 per cent), and Italian multinational defence company Leonardo.
