UK awards Meteor, CAMM and Sea Viper missile contracts

F-35 launch meteor BVRAAM UK Secretary of State, Sir Michael Fallon, has announced three new missile contracts worth a combined £539/$...

F-35 launch meteor BVRAAM

UK Secretary of State, Sir Michael Fallon, has announced three new missile contracts worth a combined £539/$689 million for state-of-the-art Meteor, Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) and Sea Viper missile systems to MBDA UK.

A £41/$ 52.4 million contract was awarded to MBDA for the integration of the Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) on UK’s F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter aircraft. It will provide the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy with a world beating missile that can engage with targets moving at huge speed and at a very long range.

The weapon will enter service on RAF Typhoon with the RAF in 2018 and the F-35B from 2024, and will be used on a range of missions including protecting the Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers. The RAF and Royal Navy plan to operate 138 F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing aircraft.

The contract include test missiles required for an aircraft integration program, along with role change kits for the UK’s common Meteor stockpile for both Typhoon and Lightning.

Meanwhile, a £175/$223 million in-service support contract for the anti-air Sea Viper weapon system will ensure that the Royal Navy’s Type 45 Destroyers can continue to provide unparalleled protection from air attack to the extended fleet.

Under the contract, the missiles will be maintained, repaired and overhauled as and when required to ensure continued capability. The Sea Viper missile defends ships against multiple threats, including missiles and fighter aircraft.

The final contract is a £323/$413 million deal to purchase the next batch of cutting-edge air defense missiles for the British Army and Royal Navy, offering increased capability at a lower cost.

CAMM Missile MBDA Graphics

The next-generation Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) is designed for use both at sea and on land and provide 360 degree coverage. It has the capability to defend against anti-ship cruise missiles, aircraft and other highly sophisticated threats.

Designed and manufactured by MBDA in the UK, CAMM will be deployed using the Sea Ceptor and Land Ceptor weapon systems that will protect the Royal Navy’s Type 23 and future Type 26 warships, as well as enhancing the British Army’s Ground Based Air Defence system.

The Sea Ceptor weapon system incorporating CAMM will replace the Sea Wolf weapon system on the Type 23 Frigate and provide the anti-air defence capability on the new Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy. Similarly, the Land Ceptor weapon system will replace the Rapier weapon system in service with the British Army and contribute technology to the replacement of ASRAAM in service with the Royal Air Force.