Missile Aster 15 / 30
French surface-to-air missile, entered service in 2001, using inertial guidance with active RF seeker.
| Warhead | High Explosive |
| Warhead weight | 15 kg (33 lb) |
| Diameter | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Length | 4,200 mm (165.4 in) |
| Flight altitude | 20,000 m (65,617 ft) |
| Weight | 510 kg (1,124 lb) |
| Range | 120 km (75 mi) |
| Max. speed | 5,556 km/h (Mach 5.6) |
Description
The Aster missile family originated from a 1980s Franco-Italian initiative to develop domestic medium- and long-range surface-to-air missile capabilities. The program was designed to replace existing short-range systems and provide a defense against supersonic anti-ship missiles. A memorandum of understanding was signed in May 1989, leading to the formation of the Eurosam consortium. The first Aster 30 test firing occurred in July 1995, and the system entered service in 2001 on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
The system consists of all-weather, vertical-launch missiles designed for maritime and land-based platforms. The missiles utilize a modular architecture featuring a common terminal intercept dart paired with solid propellant, two-stage boosters. Guidance is provided by an inertial system with an uplink for mid-course updates, transitioning to an active RF seeker for the terminal phase. The payload is a focused fragmented warhead with a calculated delay proximity fuze. The Aster 15 is configured for short-to-medium range engagements, while the Aster 30 is used for long-range and anti-ballistic missile defense. Variants include the Block 1 and Block 1NT, which are designed to intercept short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. Further variants under development include the Aster 15 EC for increased range and the Block 2 BMD for maneuvering and longer-range ballistic targets. The system is designed to intercept combat aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles, and supersonic sea-skimming targets.
The missile is widely deployed across naval and land-based forces. It is the primary armament for the Horizon-class and FREMM frigates of France and Italy, as well as the Type 45 destroyers of the United Kingdom. Land-based operations utilize the SAMP/T system, which integrates the Aster 30 with 3D phased array radars. In addition to the founding nations, the system is operated by Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Egypt, and Morocco. Ukraine received SAMP/T batteries starting in 2023, with reports of the system being used to engage military aircraft in 2025. During the 2024 Red Sea crisis, French and British naval vessels utilized the system to intercept Houthi ballistic missiles. Operational testing has validated the system’s performance against supersonic sea-skimming targets and ballistic missile simulators. Production is being increased to meet demand from domestic and export customers.