SAMP/T aka ASTER -with inertial guidance with up-link and active RF seeker - 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.
Aster 30 Block 1 - Ground-based wide area defence capable against 600 km-range ballistic missiles eg Scud-B
Aster 30 Block 1NT (New Technology) - wide area defence capable against 1500 km-range ballistic missiles
Block 1 is used in the Eurosam SAMP/T system operated by the French Air Force and the Italian Army. As of 2014, the development of Block 1NT is being funded by France and Italy. Block 2 would not be delivered until after 2020. In 2016, the United Kingdom showed interest in acquiring the Block 1NT version for its Type 45 Destroyers. These and the Franco-Italian Horizon class use the BAE/Thales Group S1850M long range radar, a modified Thales Netherlands SMART-L, which is a passive electronically scanned array radar.
The S1850M is advertised as being capable of fully automatic detection, track initiation and tracking of up to 1,000 targets at a range of 400 kilometres (250 mi). It is also claimed to be highly capable of detecting stealth targets, and is able to detect and track outer atmosphere objects at short range, making it capable of forming part of a Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence system. SMART-L has a maximum range of 400 km (220 nmi) against patrol aircraft, and 65 km (35 nmi) against stealthy missiles. A software upgrade, Extended Long Range (ELR) Mode, extends the maximum range to 480 km (260 nmi).
Even a stronger version of the S1850M is under testing, which is actually an updated version of the current SMART-L radar, which the Dutch Navy will call the SMART-L-EWC (Early Warning Capability) Radar, with even a greater search radius and capable of detecting ballistic missiles. It would have a tracking range of 2000 km for ballistic missile defence and 480 km for air defence . SMART-L EWC is an AESA programmable radar.
A study by the Koninklijke Marine (Royal Netherlands Navy), the Netherlands Defence Material Organization, Thales Nederland, Raytheon Missile Systems, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and Lockheed Martin has been conducted to establish the feasibility of modifying the De Zeven Provinciën class to provide it the capability to intercept ballistic missiles. In particular, the study examined the feasibility of integrating the SM-3 Block IB missile with the SMART-L and APAR radars. The study concluded that – with certain modifications to the SMART-L and APAR, as well as to the ship's Combat Management System and the missile itself – BMD with the De Zeven Provinciën class could be achieved. During a 2015 very large NATO exercise the BMD capabilities were proven, the sensor suite discovered Ballistic targets and destroyed them using both own SAM missiles as well as using a US Destroyer's SAM weapons, providing target data and missile guidance. A contract was awarded for the radar modification in June 2012, operational tests & life firing show the performance to exceed expectations.
One way or another. European BMD is coming.
