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SAMP/T is a land based air defense system incorporating the Aster
30 missile, designed to provide area defense and point defense for
land forces and sensitive sites. The missile is effective against
emerging threats, including aircraft, UAVs, helicopters and also
the new generation of high speed stealthy stand-off missiles.
Aster is a modular family of vertically launched air defense
missiles, designed initially for naval use.
 The
missiles were developed by MBDA for the Franco – Italian Future
Surface-to-Air Family (FASF) program, endorsed by the armed forces
of both countries. Under the SAMP/T medium range area defense
system, both armies, as well as the French Air Force, are expected
to field the Aster 30, covering the range of 120km. Evolved Block
1 version of Aster 30 also includes missile engagement capability,
intercepting Tactical Ballistic Missile of the 600 km class. MBDA
is also planning to offer Aster 30 Block 2 missiles in the future,
with engagement capability of ballistic missiles with much longer
range.
Thales is responsible for the Arabel fire control
system. The Arabel multifunction, electronic scanning radar which
already equips the French Navy Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier,
is capable of detecting all types of threat in the harshest
environments and provides high-precision guidance in the missile's
initial phase, until the onboard seeker takes over and guides the
missile onto its target. The system's ability to counter ballistic
threats will be made possible by the later addition of a
multi-function air defense radar incorporating the new M3R
technology.
The firing units comprise of truck mounted firing
units, equipped with vertical launcher. Each army will use local
trucks for its systems – the Italians will use Astra/Iveco and the
French – the Renault TRM-1000 trucks. Each firing unit will be
able to fire eight missiles in rapid succession to counter
saturation attacks. The system is in development since 1997. Two
systems were produced under Phase 2 contract, one for each
country. Qualification tests were carried out at the end or 2003
and followed by Phase 3 contracts, covering Block 1 missiles was
signed in November 2003, including 12 systems for the French Air
Force and Army and six for Italy. MBDA is also offering SAMP/T
system for export.
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