“Sea Viper: The Royal Navy’s Shield Against Ballistic Menaces”

Two agreements, known as Sea Viper Evolution, will empower the Type 45 Destroyers to safeguard the Carrier Strike Group against anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs). Additionally, another agreement will furnish prolonged and enhanced in-service support (ISS) for Sea Viper for an extra five years. MBDA acts as the principal contractor and design authority for the Sea Viper armament system, encompassing the sensor (radar), the command and control framework, and the missile.

Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK, stated: “These agreements will render Sea Viper the most advanced naval aerial defence system ever conceived for the Royal Navy throughout our 60-year legacy as the Navy’s chief air defence system provider. They will also enable the UK to further augment collaboration with France and Italy via MBDA by engaging in the Aster 30 Block 1 initiative, granting the UK the capability to neutralize anti-ship ballistic missiles.”

The pivotal aspect of Sea Viper Evolution will witness the Royal Navy’s current Aster 30 missiles receiving enhanced Block 1 warheads and innovative guidance and seeker software to confront emerging anti-ship ballistic missile challenges while preserving its preeminent anti-air warfare proficiency. The Type 45’s Sampson multifunction radar and combat management system will undergo upgrades as well. A unified team from MBDA across the UK, France, and Italy is undertaking this initiative alongside BAE Systems Maritime Services.

Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Maritime Services division, expressed: “Our Radar division is thrilled to collaborate with MBDA on the Sea Viper Evolution enhancement to our SAMPSON Radar aboard the UK’s Type 45 Destroyers. This upgraded capability will constitute a crucial component of the UK’s Maritime Ballistic Missile Defence programme.”

The second phase of Sea Viper Evolution involves an evaluation stage for incorporating the new Aster 30 Block 1NT missile into the Type 45 destroyers, along with additional enhancements to the radar and the broader weapon system, to deliver leading-edge capabilities against medium-range maneuvering and separating ballistic missiles.

The extended ISS agreement will persist in building upon MBDA’s groundbreaking data-driven strategy aimed at optimized stockpile readiness, ensuring the Royal Navy has munitions available precisely when needed.