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The Principal Anti Air Missile System (PAAMS) is a joint French/Italian/British program for a naval anti-aircraft weapon. The prime contractor is EUROPAAMS, a joint venture between Eurosam (66%) and MBDA subsidiary UKAMS (33%). MBDA also owns 66% of Eurosam, in effect giving it a 77% share of the project.
History
The PAAMS system was designed to be deployed on the Horizon CNGF (Common New Generation Frigate) for the navies of the partner nations. The French DGA placed a contract with EUROPAAMS on 11 August 1999 for three PAAMS systems — one each for the first British, French and Italian Horizon frigates.
Irreconcilable differences in the design required lead to the UK leaving the project in October 1999. However, although now pursuing a national warship design, the UK remained committed to PAAMS. In 2003 the UK ordered five more PAAMS systems to allow the construction of the first six ships to progress.
Two additional PAAMS systems were also ordered by France and Italy in 2003 for their Horizon class frigate.
Capabilities
The system is designed to allow equipped vessels to protect themselves and escorted vessels against all missile and aircraft threats. The system will also be capable of operating close inshore to provide air defence for ground forces, e.g. amphibious landing.
The system will provide a step change in capability over current systems, e.g the Type 42's Sea Dart missile which is vulnerable to low level and saturation attacks. The Aster missiles were designed from the outset to intercept sea-skimming missiles and coupled with the SYLVER launcher, PAAMS can launch 8 missiles in 10 seconds.
PAAMS Components
- PAAMS (S) — British variant with SAMPSON Multi-Function Radar (MFR)
- PAAMS (E) — French/Italian variant with EMPAR Multi-Function Radar
- Automatic Command and control system
- DCN SYLVER vertical missile launcher
- MBDA Aster missiles
- Aster 15 - Short range
- Aster 30 - Medium to long range
- BAE Systems Insyte/Thales S1850M Long Range/Early Warning Radar.
Applications
External links
"PAAMS"