CAMM (missile family)

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Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM)
MBDA Sea Ceptor graphic.jpg
An MBDA computer generated graphic showing a CAMM missile in flight.
Type
  • CAMM:
    Short range anti-aircraft and anti-missile missile.
  • CAMM-ER:
    Medium range anti-aircraft and anti-missile missile.
Place of origin
  • United Kingdom (CAMM)
  • Italy (CAMM-ER)
Service history
In service2018[1]
Production history
Manufacturer
Specifications
Mass
  • CAMM: 99 kg (218 lb)[2]
  • CAMM-ER: 160 kg (350 lb);[3] missile with canister, <250 kg
Length
  • CAMM: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)[2]
  • CAMM-ER: 4.0 m (13 ft 1 in);[3] canister, 4.4 m (14 ft)
Diameter
  • CAMM: 166 mm (6.5 in)[2]
  • CAMM-ER: 190 mm (7.5 in);[3] canister, 27.5 × 27.5 cm
WarheadDirected fragmentation.
Detonation
mechanism
Contact or proximity.
EngineSolid-fuel rocket motor.
Operational
range
  • CAMM: <1–25 km (0.6–15.5 mi)+[2][nb 1]
  • CAMM-ER: <1–40 km (0.6–24.9 mi)+[5]
Maximum speed Mach 3; 1,020 m/s (2,300 mph)[6]
Guidance
system
Launch
platform
  • Maritime platforms.
  • Land based platforms.
  • Aircraft.

The Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM) is a family of surface-to-air missiles developed by MBDA UK for the United Kingdom.[8] CAMM shares some common features and components with the ASRAAM air-to-air missile, but with updated electronics and an active radar homing seeker. As Sea Ceptor, CAMM is replacing the Sea Wolf missile on Type 23 frigates of the Royal Navy since 2018,[7] and, as of 2021, under the name Land Ceptor is replacing the Rapier missile in British Army service. The system is also contributing to the updating of MBDA's ASRAAM in service with the Royal Air Force. [1][9]

History[]

The Common Anti-Air Modular Missile has its roots in a Technology Demonstration Programme (TDP), jointly funded by MBDA and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as part of the United Kingdom's Future Local Area Air Defence System (FLAADS).[8] FLAADS is part of a wider UK 'Team Complex Weapons' programme to deliver a variety of weapons and maintain UK soverign capability in this area.[9] FLAADS is intended to deliver a common weapons platform, the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM), to equip forces in the air, land and maritime environments.[10][11] During the early stages of the FLAADS programme, requirements were identified for the new missile to meet both current and anticipated threats, namely "airborne targets which are typified by high speed, rapid evasive manoeuvres, low signatures and advanced countermeasure[s]."[12]

Phase 1 of the TDP worked on technologies for soft vertical launch, the low-cost active radar seeker, a dual-band two-way datalink and a programmable open systems architecture.[8] Phase 2 began in 2008 and covered the manufacture of flight-worthy subsystems, mid-course guidance firings and captive airborne seeker trials on a Qinetiq Andover experimental aircraft.[8] The Soft Vertical Launch was proven over a series of trials, culminating in a successful truck launch in May 2011.[13] In January 2012 the MoD awarded MBDA a £483 million contract to develop FLAADS (Martime) to replace Sea Wolf missiles on Type 23 frigates.[9]

Milestones[]

  • In January 2012, MBDA and the Ministry of Defence announced a contract worth £483 million to fully develop the maritime application of CAMM known as Sea Ceptor for the Royal Navy.[14]
  • In October 2013, the Royal New Zealand Navy selected CAMM to equip their Anzac-class frigates HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana.[15]
  • In August 2014, the Chilean Navy emerged as a potential export customer for CAMM to equip their Type 23 frigates.[16]
  • In November 2014, the Brazilian Navy selected CAMM to equip their future Tamandaré-class frigates.[17]
  • In January 2015, the Ministry of Defence announced that it had signed a development and manufacturing deal with MBDA in late December 2014.[18]
  • In May 2016, the Spanish Navy selected CAMM-ER to equip their future F110-class frigates. Later in 2018 the missile lost against RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Block II[19]
  • In September 2017, the first Sea Ceptor missile was successfully fired at sea from the Type 23 frigate, HMS Argyll.[20]
  • In July 2021 it was reported that Sky Sabre had started acceptance trials and training with the Royal Artillery. It was planned to deploy the system in the Falkland Islands in "late summer/early autumn".[21][22]

Characteristics[]

CAMM is a point defence and local area defence missile designed to respond to sophisticated missile and aircraft attacks.[7] MBDA states that CAMM has a "high rate of fire against multiple simultaneous targets",[23] providing capabilities comparable to the Aster 15 missile.

Development costs were reduced by a using modular design and minimised complexity.[8] Additionally, the command and control software reuses over 75% of that developed for the PAAMS system.[11]

CAMM has a minimum operational range of less than 1 km and a maximum range greater than 25 km, although IHS Jane's reports that trials have a shown a capability of up to 60 km.[4] These ranges are significantly greater than the 1–10 km range of Sea Wolf and other systems CAMM will replace.[22] CAMM weighs 99 kilograms (218 lb), is 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) in length, 166 millimetres (6.5 in) diameter and reaches generous supersonic speeds of Mach 3 (or 1,020 meters per second).

CAMM's claimed benefits include:

  • Active RF seeker that means there is no need for complex and high-cost fire control/illumination radars[citation needed]
  • A two-way datalink.
  • A Soft Vertical Launch (SVL) system that offers 360° degree coverage. This uses a gas generator to eject the missile from its canister, the benefits of which include increased range – by saving all the rocket motor's energy to power the intercept – reduced minimum intercept range, reduced stress on launch platforms, reduced maintenance costs, more compact installations on ships and there being no need to manage the hot gas efflux on board, reduced launch signature, and on land the possibility of firing the missile from wooded or urban areas.
  • CAMM comes in its own launch canisters, or alternately can be quad-packed into existing vertical launching systems.[23]

CAMM's Extended Range application is known as CAMM-ER and has been under development with MBDA and Avio for the Italian MoD since 2013.[26] The CAMM-ER (extended range variant) shares the same characteristics of the original CAMM with the exception of a new Avio rocket engine which significantly increases the missile's engagement range, out to 45 km and a slightly adapted missile structure. The missile is 160 kilograms (350 lb) in weight, 4.2 metres (14 ft) in length, 190 millimetres (7.5 in) diameter.[24]

Applications[]

Sea Ceptor cells on the British Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster

MBDA states that by purchasing the same missile to meet the air defence needs of both armies and navies, both services are able to utilise a common stockpile that reduces procurement and support costs.

Sea[]

The maritime application of CAMM is known as Sea Ceptor.[25]

MBDA claims that CAMM has a "wide target set", including the capability to engage small naval vessels, which would give the missile a limited surface-to-surface role. The Anti-Air-Warfare Officer of the Type 23 Frigate HMS Westminster said after test firings “Westminster managed to explore the real potential of the system during her training and to say it is a real game changer is an understatement. Unlike its predecessor, the system is capable of defending ships other than Westminster herself. Whether it’s engaging multiple air threats or fast incoming attack craft, Sea Ceptor represents a massive capability upgrade for the Type 23 frigate.”[26]

Land[]

On land, CAMM is known as Land Ceptor by the British Army and the whole land-based air defence system is known as Sky Sabre.[27][28] The system has over three times the range of its predecessor Rapier.[28] This system consists of CAAM missiles, SAAB Giraffe radars, a Rafael command system, all mounted on MAN trucks.[29]

For international customers, MBDA markets the 'Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solutions (EMADS).'

Air[]

Originally, the CAMM program aspired to provide Land, Sea and Air launched capabilities, but it was deemed more effective to instead develop CAMM for use for land and sea only, while using the well established ASRAAM short range air-to-air missile to cover the air launched role. However, technologies and components developed for CAMM have been used as part of an upgrade to ASRAAM.[30][31]

Operators[]

CAMM operators in blue, and future operators in dark grey.

Current operators[]

 Chile
 New Zealand
 United Kingdom

Future operators[]

 Brazil
 Canada
 Pakistan
 Italy

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Although trials have a shown a capability of up to 60 km[4]

References[]

  1. ^ MBDA' Sea Ceptor missile system enters service with Royal Navy, Navy Recognition, 29 May 2018.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Common Anti-Air Modular Missile" (PDF). MBDA Missile Systems. February 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c "CAMM-ER Datasheet" (PDF), mbda-systems.com, 2 April 2015, archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2015
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "UK orders next-generation air defence system from MBDA". IHS Jane's. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  5. ^ "ALBATROS NG".
  6. ^ "Sea Ceptor Missile System". www.naval-technology.com. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  7. ^ MacAskill, Ewen (24 May 2018). "UK's new Sea Ceptor missile system enters into service". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Scott, Richard (11 September 2009). "UK's common anti-air missile forges ahead..." IHS Jane's. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b Chuter, Andrew (30 January 2012). "MBDA To Develop Missile To Protect U.K. Warships". Defense News.
  10. ^ Luff, Peter (7 March 2012), "Future Local Area Air Defence System", House of Commons Written Answers, UK Parliament, Column 780W
  11. ^ Complex Weapons Hansard, 15 July 2008
  12. ^ FLAADS Archived May 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine MBDA, June 2010
  13. ^ "Common Anti Air Modular Missile (CAMM)". Think Defence. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  14. ^ "Sea Ceptor, MBDA’s Next Generation Air Defence System Gets Go Ahead For Royal Navy Frigates", 31 January 2012, navyrecognition.com
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "Sea Ceptor selected for ANZAC Frigate Update". MBDA Missile Systems. 7 October 2013. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  16. ^ "MBDA: "Chile podría adoptar el misil Sea Ceptor en la modernización de sus fragatas tipo 23"" (in Spanish). infodefensa. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b "Brazilian Navy Selects MBDA's Sea Ceptor for Air Defense". MBDA. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  18. ^ Chuter, Andrew (12 January 2015). "UK Signs Deal For New Air Defense Missile". DefenseNews. Sightline Media Group.
  19. ^ Infodefensa.com (21 September 2015). "La idea de comunalidad de sistemas de MBDA cala en Europa - Noticias Infodefensa España" (in Spanish).
  20. ^ "Defence Minister announces successful first firings of Sea Ceptor missiles to protect new aircraft carriers". www.gov.uk.
  21. ^ "Sky Sabre weapons system - a Freedom of Information request to Ministry of Defence". WhatDoTheyKnow. 4 October 2020.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b "7th Air Defence Group". www.army.mod.uk.
  23. ^ "Royal Navy completes Sea Ceptor firing trials - MBDA". MBDA. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  24. ^ "CAMM-ER - MBDA". MBDA. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  25. ^ "Royal Navy complete first-of-class firings of Sea Ceptor air defence system" (Press release). MBDA. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  26. ^ "Missile success for HMS Westminster as second ship to fire new Sea Ceptor". www.royalnavy.mod.uk. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  27. ^ Ripley, Tim (14 February 2018). "British Army unveils Sky Sabre air defence system". CBRN Assessment. IHS Markit. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b "Final configuration of British Army Land Ceptor unveiled". MBDA (Press release). 12 September 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  29. ^ Uppal, Rajesh (20 April 2019). "UK unveils its new Sky Sabre air defence system integated with CAMM..." International Defense Security Technology Inc. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  30. ^ "MBDA receives capability sustainment order for ASRAAM" (Press release). MBDA. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  31. ^ "MOD to upgrade air-to-air missile". www.gov.uk. 16 September 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  32. ^ "Lockheed Martin Updates Chilean Frigates". www.monch.com.
  33. ^ "Royal Navy Missile Contract Sustains 500 UK Jobs". GOV.UK. 10 September 2013. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  34. ^ "National Shipbuilding Strategy" (PDF). GOV.UK. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  35. ^ "£500m firepower upgrade for Type 45 destroyers". GOV.UK. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  36. ^ "MBDA's Advanced Air Defence System for the British Army Enters Assessment Phase". MBDA Missile Systems. 1 May 2014. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  37. ^ During, Nelson (14 November 2014). "MBDA e AVIBRAS anunciam projeto de Defesa Antiaérea de média altura" [MBDA and AVIBRAS announce medium range Air Defense project] (in Portuguese). DefesaNet. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  38. ^ "MBDA Confirms Sea Ceptor Order for Canadian Surface Combatant". Naval News. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  39. ^ "Pakistan Reportedly Launch Customer of Naval CAMM-ER". Quwa. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  40. ^ "PAKISTAN NAVY SELECTS ITALIAN CAMM-ER MISSILE FOR NEW CORVETTES". Pakistan Defence. Retrieved 16 June 2021.

External links[]

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