Saudi Arabia and MBDA JV to localize production of CAMM missiles
Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and European missile manufacturer MBDA have launched a joint venture (JV) to produce the Common Anti-Aircraft Modular Missile (CAMM).
The following note highlights key relevant aspects including:
- Details of the joint project
- Production plans and end users
Additional discussions between the two sides on the localization of other MBDA missiles..
This is why Saudi Arabia replaced American ESSM missiles on MMSC frigates
The Saudi forces chose to have their air defense on board American SAMI frigates CAMM - CAMM ER type, which is manufactured by (SAMI-MBDA) company.
A SAMI spokesperson also stated that the MBDA Combined Air Defense Missile (CAMM) family and CAMM-ER missiles are planned to be produced by the joint venture with SAMI.
Further capacity building will also be transferred to help the Saudis design, develop and produce complex missiles and missile systems.
CAMM & CAMM-ER
MBDA surface ship weapon system
CAMM + CAMM-ER SAM
The CAMM (Common Anti-Aircraft Modular Missile) series is a family of surface-to-air missiles developed by MBDA for the United Kingdom. The CAMM shares some common features and components with the ASRAAM air-to-air missile, but with updated electronics and active radar homing. The Joint Modular Anti-Aircraft Missile is intended to replace the Sea Wolf missile on the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates from 2017, the Rapier missile in British Army service from 2018 and contributes to the modernization of MBDA's ASRAAM in service with the Royal Air Force.
The CAMM is a point and local defense missile designed to respond to advanced missile attacks and has the ability to defend against saturation attacks from supersonic cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, aircraft and other high-performance targets. It does this via multiple channels of fire, simultaneously providing 360 degrees of coverage and high degrees of maneuverability. MBDA states that the CAMM has a “high rate of fire against multiple targets simultaneously,” providing capabilities similar to the Aster 15 missile.
The design characteristics allowed low cost through modularity and reduced electromechanical complexity by implementing most functions in software. In addition, the command and control software reuses more than 75% of that developed for PAAMS.
CAMM has a minimum operating range of less than 1 km and a maximum range of greater than 25 km, although IHS Jane reports that experiments have demonstrated capability of up to 60 km. These ranges are much larger than the 1-10 km range of the Sea Wolf and other CAMM systems will solve. The CAMM weighs 99 kg (218 lb), is 3.2 meters (10 ft) in length and 166 mm (6.5 in) in diameter and reaches hypersonic speeds of Mach 3 (or 1,020 meters per meter per second).
Benefits of CAMM include:
Next generation active RF seeker provides true all-weather performance with excellent clutter rejection capabilities and means There is no need for complex and high-cost fire control/illumination radars
Two-way data link provides superior accuracy
Highly improved functionality. The linked radar system tracks the threat and uses a data link to update the missile with the location of the threat before the seeker takes over guiding the missiles.
Soft Vertical Operation (SVL) system provides 360 degree coverage and high degrees of maneuverability. CAMM also uses a gas generator to take the missile out of its box, the benefits of which include increased range - by supplying all of the missile's engine power to the interception force - reduced minimum intercept range, reduced stress on launch pads, significantly reduced maintenance costs, more compact installations on Ships and there is no need to manage the flow of hot gas aboard the ship, reduce the launch signature, and ground operation the possibility of launching the missile from forests or urban areas.
CAMM comes in its own launch packages, or alternately can be quad-packed in the SYLVER, ExLS and Mark 41 vertical launch systems found on many warships.
The extended range implementation of the CAMM is known as CAMM-ER and has been under the support of the MBDA of the Italian Ministry of Defense since 2013. The CAMM-ER (extended range variant) shares the same characteristics as the original CAMM except for an additional missile booster which significantly increases the missile's engagement range, To 45 km and the missile structure is slightly adapted. The missile is 160 kilograms (350 lb) in weight, 4.2 meters (14 ft) in length, 190 millimeters (7.5 inches) in diameter.
Sea :
The marine application of CAMM is known as Sea Ceptor. The system will provide key air defense capability for the Royal Navy's Type 23 and Type 26 frigates, as well as arming other navies around the world. The sea receiver can be easily modified on a wide range of platforms, from 50m OPVs to frigates and destroyers.
In addition, CAMM can also be integrated with a range of radar types to suit customer requirements. MBDA claims the CAMM has a “wide target range,” including the ability to engage small naval vessels, which will give the missile a limited surface-to-surface role. This has since been confirmed by the Royal Navy, with the Air Warfare Combat Officer from the Type 23 frigate HMS Westminster saying: “Westminster has been able to explore the true potential of the system during its training and to say it is truly a game-changer is an understatement. Unlike its predecessor, the system Capable of defending ships other than Westminster itself whether engaging multiple air threats or incoming fast attack boats, Sea Ceptor represents a tremendous capability upgrade for the Type 23 frigate.”
Land :
On the land range, the CAMM is known as Sky Saber by the British Army. This application has more than three times the range of its predecessor Rapier, being able to intercept the most challenging targets in all weather conditions.
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