France, Italy and the UK are to proceed with development of the tri-national Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS) for next generation air- defence ships despite the fact that the UK is seeking a national solution for the frigate.
British Aerospace defence systems will supply the UK Royal Navy with the associated Sampson multi-function radar and expects the $100 million contract to be finalised in July. The deal includes full-scale engineering development and production of prototypes and the first unit. Service entry is set for 2003.
PAAMS is being developed in a £1.3 billion programme by Thomson-CSF and Aerospatiale of France, Alenia of Italy and Anglo-French Matra BAe Dynamics. The Aerospatiale Alenia-developed Aster missile will provide the teeth for PAAMS.
Sampson is a dual-faced, active array that can handle multiple threats while being immune to jamming. It builds on 20 years of UK technology demonstration.
Source: Flight International