Eurosam GIE is a European manufacturer of anti-air missiles. Eurosam was established in June 1989 for the development of the ''Famille de missiles Sol-Air Futurs'' (Future Surface-to-Air Family of missiles or FSAF). Eurosam was initially a joint venture between
Aérospatiale
Aérospatiale () was a major French state-owned aerospace manufacturer, aerospace and arms industry, defence corporation. It was founded in 1970 as () through the merger of three established state-owned companies: Sud Aviation, Nord Aviation ...
MBDA
MBDA is a European multinational corporation specialized in the design, development and manufacturing of Missile, missiles and related systems.MBDA
MBDA is a European multinational corporation specialized in the design, development and manufacturing of Missile, missiles and related systems.Thales Group. Thus Eurosam is owned by
MBDA
MBDA is a European multinational corporation specialized in the design, development and manufacturing of Missile, missiles and related systems.Thales Group (33%).
Aster missiles
As originally envisaged under the contract for Phase 1 (signed in May 1990) the FSAF involved the use of the Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles in the following applications:
*SAAM (Système Anti-Air Missile) naval autodefence
**SAAM-FR — using the Aster 15 on the
**SAAM-IT — using the Aster 15 on the
* SAMP/T (Sol-Air Moyenne Portée Terrestre) or Ground-to-Air Medium Range Missile System
**Using Aster 30 missiles in batteries and Arabel radar
Ground-launched systems
GBAD system, with dual ABT and ATBM capability, SAMP/T is a fully autonomous, self-propelled system with truck-mounted modules. Each system typically includes a fire control unit, with a multi-function radar (MRI) and an Engagement Module (ME), and launching elements, with up to 6 vertical launch platforms (MLT) using for Aster 30 missiles. SAMP/T boasts the unique capability of being able to simultaneously engage TBMs and ABTs coming from any direction.
Naval systems
On 17 November 2011 the French Navy air defence frigate ''Chevalier Paul'' successfully tested its PAAMS air defence system. It was the longest range intercept to date for the Eurosam system, with any PAAMS system, whether Italian, British or French. Meanwhile, HMS ''Defender'', the Royal Navy's fifth Type 45 destroyer, equipped with the PAAMS (UK) system christened Sea Viper, completed its initial sea trials before returning to the shipyard, in Glasgow.
Anti-air application
In August 1999 FSAF was extended to include PAAMS, the Principal Anti Air Missile System. PAAMS uses both Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles for self-defence, local area defence and long range area defence. PAAMS is managed by EUROPAAMS, a joint venture between Eurosam (66%) and MBDA subsidiary UKAMS (33%). MBDA also owns 66% of Eurosam, in effect giving it a 77% share of the project. MBDA is itself owned by BAE, Airbus and Leonardo. PAAMS is fitted in the 4 French/Italian Horizon frigates and 6 British Type 45 destroyers.
"Building block" architecture
Eurosam's air-defence systems are based on a modular architecture, with specific modules or "building blocks" which can be combined to precisely tailor each system. A basic system consists of one multi-function radar, a command and control post with Mara computers and Magics operator consoles, and a vertical launch system. Additional sub-systems can be added to optimize the basic system's capabilities for specific missions, such as naval extended area defense or anti-ballistic missile defense.
Applications
In March 1998
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about , making it the List of Asian countries ...
signed a contract for the SAAM system (Aster 15) to be fitted to its DCN''Al Riyadh''-class frigates.
In August 2011 Turkey's national air and missile competition has attracted bids from a U.S. partnership of
Raytheon
Raytheon is a business unit of RTX Corporation and is a major U.S. defense contractor and industrial corporation with manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. Founded in 1922, it merged in 2020 with Unite ...
and
Lockheed Martin
The Lockheed Martin Corporation is an American Arms industry, defense and aerospace manufacturer with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta on March 15, 1995. It is headquartered in North ...
, offering the Patriot air defense system; Russia's Rosoboronexport, marketing the S-300; China's CPMIEC (China Precision Machinery Export-Import Corp.), offering its HQ-9; and Eurosam's SAMP/T Aster 30. Eurosam has delivered to date 14 units to Italy and France, including 2 First of Class units. France will deploy 10 SAMP/T in 5 air defence squadrons, 4 of which are currently equipped or being equipped. The Italian Army will regroup 5 SAMP/T units in one Regiment, in Mantova, with 4 already delivered. MBDA has offered to sell the Arabel radar to Poland with the Arabel radar 30. Poland's MON has announced the Wisla program's finalists: Raytheon's ‘PATRIOT with options’ offer, and EuroSAM's SAMP/T Mamba system that uses the Aster-30
On 5 January 2018,
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
and
Turkey
Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a relatively small part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia (country), Georgia, Armen ...
signed a project definition study contract with Eurosam for a future Long Range Air and Missile Defense System (LORAMIDS). Turkey would also participate, through companies Aselsan and Roketsan, in development work on the mid-life update (MLU) phase of the SAMP/T Aster 30, Block 1NT.