CAMM (missile family)

The CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) series is a family[8] of surface-to-air missiles developed by MBDA UK for the United Kingdom. CAMM shares some common features and components with the ASRAAM air-to-air missile, but with updated electronics and an active radar homing seeker. The Common Anti-Air Modular Missile is replacing the Sea Wolf missile on Type 23 frigates of the Royal Navy since 2018,[6] will replace the Rapier missile in British Army service and is contributing to the updating of MBDA's ASRAAM in service with the Royal Air Force. [1][9]

CAMM
An MBDA computer generated graphic showing a CAMM missile in flight.
TypeCAMM:
Short range anti-aircraft and anti-missile missile.
CAMM-ER:
Medium range anti-aircraft and anti-missile missile.
Place of originUnited Kingdom (CAMM)
Italy (CAMM-ER)
Service history
In service2018[1]
Production history
ManufacturerMBDA UK (CAMM)
MBDA Italy (CAMM-ER)
Specifications
MassCAMM: 99 kg (218 lb)[2]
CAMM-ER: 160 kg (350 lb)[3] (<250 kg, missile with canister)
LengthCAMM: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)[2]
CAMM-ER: 4.0 m (13 ft 1 in)[3] (canister, 4.4 m (14 ft))
DiameterCAMM: 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: <1–45 km (0.6–28.0 mi)+[3]
Maximum speed Mach 3 1,020 m/s (2,300 mph))[5]
Guidance
system
Launch
platform
  • Maritime platforms.
  • Land based platforms.
  • Aircraft.

Characteristics

CAMM is a point defence and local area defence missile designed to respond to sophisticated missile attacks and has the capability to defend against saturation attacks of supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, aircraft and other high-performance targets.[7] It does this via multiple channels of fire, providing 360-degree simultaneous coverage and high degrees of manoeuvrability. MBDA states that CAMM has a "high rate of fire against multiple simultaneous targets",[23] providing capabilities comparable to the Aster 15 missile.

Design characteristics allow for low cost by modularity and minimising electromechanical complexity through implementing most functionality in software.[7] 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 weights 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
  • 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.[8]

CAMM's Extended Range application is known as CAMM-ER and has been under development with MBDA 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 an additional rocket booster 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.[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 as part of the United Kingdom's Future Local Area Air Defence System (FLAADS).[7] 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.[7] 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.[7] The Soft Vertical Launch was proven over a series of trials, culminating in a successful truck launch in May 2011.[10] The MoD decision on the business case for the naval variant was scheduled for 2010.[7] After publishing the Strategic Defence and Security Review in October 2010, the business case was approved in April 2011.

FLAADS is part of a wider UK 'Complex Weapons' programme to deliver a variety of UK industry based weapons. 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.[11][12] During the early stages of the FLAADS programme, requirements were identified for the new missile to meet the known and unknown air threats of not only the present, but those well into the future too. Thought was particularly given to meeting a target set "of complex airborne targets which are typified by high speed, rapid evasive manoeuvres, low signatures and advanced countermeasure[s]."[13]

Milestones

Applications

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.[21]

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.”[22]

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.[23][24] The system has over three times the range of its predecessor Rapier.[24] This system consists of CAAM missiles, SAAB Giraffe radars, a Rafael command system, all mounted on MAN trucks.[25]

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.[26][27]

Operators
Map of CAMM operators in dark grey, and future operators in lighter grey.

Current operators
 United Kingdom
 New Zealand
 Chile

Future operators
 Brazil
 Italy
 Canada
  • Canadian Navy - Selected to equip its version of the Type 26 frigates.

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. "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. CAMM-ER Datasheet Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, mbda-systems.com
  4. "UK orders next-generation air defence system from MBDA". IHS Jane's. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  5. "Sea Ceptor Missile System". www.naval-technology.com. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
  6. MacAskill, Ewen (24 May 2018). "UK's new Sea Ceptor missile system enters into service". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2020-06-26.
  7. 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.
  8. "Royal Navy completes Sea Ceptor firing trials - MBDA". MBDA. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
  9. "CAMM-ER - MBDA". MBDA. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
  10. "Common Anti Air Modular Missile (CAMM)". Think Defence. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
  11. Future Local Area Air Defence System Hansard, 7 Mar 2012
  12. Complex Weapons Hansard, 15 July 2008
  13. FLAADS Archived May 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine MBDA, June 2010
  14. "Sea Ceptor, MBDA’s Next Generation Air Defence System Gets Go Ahead For Royal Navy Frigates", 31 January 2012, navyrecognition.com
  15. "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. "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. "Royal Navy complete first-of-class firings of Sea Ceptor air defence system" (Press release). MBDA. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
  22. "Missile success for HMS Westminster as second ship to fire new Sea Ceptor". www.royalnavy.mod.uk. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
  23. https://www.janes.com/article/77933/british-army-unveils-sky-sabre-air-defence-system
  24. "Final configuration of British Army Land Ceptor unveiled". MBDA. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
  25. Uppal, Rajesh (20 April 2019). "UK unveils its new Sky Sabre air defence system integated with CAMM..." idstch.com. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  26. "MBDA receives capability sustainment order for ASRAAM" (Press release). MBDA. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
  27. "MOD to upgrade air-to-air missile". www.gov.uk. 16 September 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  28. "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.
  29. "National Shipbuilding Strategy" (PDF). GOV.UK. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  30. "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.
  31. "Lockheed Martin Updates Chilean Frigates". www.monch.com.
  32. During, Nelson (2014-11-14). "MBDA e AVIBRAS anunciam projeto de Defesa Antiaérea de média altura" [MBDA and AVIBRAS announce medium range Air Defense project] (in Portuguese). DefesaNet. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
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