Aster (missile Family) - Characteristics

Characteristics

Aster is best described as an anti-missile missile that is capable of intercepting all types of high performance air threats such as; aircraft, UAVs, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles at ranges of up to 120 km. There are currently two versions of the Aster missile family, the short range version, Aster 15 and the long range version, Aster 30. Although being identical, the two missiles differ significantly in range and speed of intercept, this is simply because of the size of their respective boosters - with the size of the booster on the Aster 30 being far larger. Total weights of the Aster 15 and Aster 30 are 310 kg and 450 kg respectively. Aster 15 has a length of 4.2 meters, rising to just under 5 meters for Aster 30 and a diameter of 180mms.

Given the larger dimensions of the Aster 30, a naval based system requires the longer tubes of the Slyver A50 or A70 vertical launching system (VLS). Additionally the American Mark 41 Vertical Launching System can accommodate Aster 30.

Aster 30 is capable of reaching speeds of Mach 4.5 while reaching altitudes of 30 km and is capable of performimg aerial manoeuvres greater than 60 Gs giving it a very high degree of manoeuverability. This is thanks to the combination of aerodynamic control and the direct thrust vector control called "PIF-PAF". Thrust vectors are intentionally located at the missile's centre of gravity maximising responsiveness. This system also prevents a rupture of the missile under high-g maneuvers during trajectory corrections, and allows such maneuvers to be performed without losing aerodynamic performances, improving the precision of the impact on target. A standard launch of the Aster can include 90-degree trajectory changes.

Eurosam describes Aster as a "hit-to-kill Missile Interceptor".

The Aster missile is autonomously guided enabling it to cope with saturated attacks and is equipped with an active RF seeker. The shipboard radar fulfills roles of sentry, meteo, target discrimination, acquisition and chase. When coupled with the advanced PAAMS air-defence system utilizing the SAMPSON and S1850M radars (as found on the British Type 45 destroyers), Aster is capable of simultaneously targeting and engaging multiple targets at once. MBDA states Aster is capable of "Multiple engagement capability with high rate of fire".