PAAMS

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Italian Horizon-class destroyer Caio Duilio equipped with the PAAMS(E) integrated anti-aircraft warfare system Caio Duilio D554.jpg
Italian Horizon-class destroyer Caio Duilio equipped with the PAAMS(E) integrated anti-aircraft warfare system

The Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS) is a joint programme developed by France, Italy, and the United Kingdom for an integrated anti-aircraft warfare system. The prime contractor is EUROPAAMS, a joint venture between Eurosam (66%) and UKAMS (33%). In the United Kingdom, PAAMS has been given the designation Sea Viper. [1]

Contents

The system equips the Horizon-class frigates in French and Italian service as well as the British Type 45 destroyers.

Background

The Action Information Centre aboard HMS Daring, 2009 Operations Room HMS Daring MOD 45149880.jpg
The Action Information Centre aboard HMS Daring, 2009

PAAMS was originally intended to be deployed in the 'Common New Generation Frigate' (also known as the Horizon-class frigate) for the navies of the United Kingdom, France, and Italy. [2] The French DGA placed a contract with EUROPAAMS on 11 August 1999 for the development and initial production of the PAAMS warfare system along with the associated Long Range Radar (LRR) system. The contract included one PAAMS system and one LRR for each of the first British, French, and Italian new class of warships. Irreconcilable differences in the design requirements and workshare disagreements led to the United Kingdom leaving the 'Common New Generation Frigate' project in October 1999. After withdrawing, Britain instead decided to pursue a national warship design, designated the Type 45 destroyer. The United Kingdom remained committed to the PAAMS project. [3] As a result of efforts to achieve economies of scale, the PAAMS command and control system shares common architecture between the Horizon class and Type 45 destroyers. In 2009, PAAMS(S) was given the service name 'Sea Viper' by the Royal Navy. [1]

PAAMS components

Both variants of the PAAMS operate in conjunction with the S1850M Long Range Early Warning Radar.

Capabilities

HMS Diamond firing Sea Viper surface-to-air missile for the first time Defence Imagery - Missiles 19.jpg
HMS Diamond firing Sea Viper surface-to-air missile for the first time
HMS Defender firing an Aster missile. HMS Defender Sea Viper.jpg
HMS Defender firing an Aster missile.

PAAMS is designed to track, target and destroy a variety of high-performance air threats, including saturation attacks of very low altitude, supersonic cruise missiles, fighter aircraft, and UAVs. PAAMS can launch eight missiles in under ten seconds with its Sylver Vertical Launching System, and simultaneously guide up to 16 missiles. [4] The PAAMS(S) variant consists of both the SAMPSON and S1850M long-range radars and is capable of tracking in excess of 1,000 targets at ranges of up to 400 km. BAE Systems also claims that its SAMPSON radar has "excellent detection of stealth aircraft and missiles". [5] Like the later baselines of the US Aegis Combat System, the PAAMS can engage multiple targets simultaneously. [6] [7] [8]

Testing

Operational history

Operators

Current operators

Map with PAAMS operators in blue PAAMS operators.png
Map with PAAMS operators in blue
Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria
Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt
Flag of France.svg  France
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom

Future operators

Flag of France.svg  France
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy

Potential operators

Flag of Greece.svg  Greece

See also

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