|
|
|
HOME
|
US Navy -
ships
|
US Navy - air
units
|
USMC - air
units
|
International
Navies
|
Weapon Systems
|
Special Reports |
|
Surface Vessel Weapon System Aspide SAM MBDA (Selenia) Aspide surface-to-air missile SAM |
 |
| 10/26 |
|
Aspide, named for the Asp Viper (Vipera aspis, snake), is an Italian
medium range air-to-air and surface-to-air missile produced by
Selenia and its successors, Alenia Aeronautica and MBDA that was
developed in the 1970s to replace license built
AIM-7 Sparrows then in use on
Italian Air Force F-104S Starfighter interceptors. It is similar in
appearance to the Sparrow, with original versions sharing an
airframe with the type and all using a similar semi-active radar
homing seeker. This similarity in appearance combined with Selenia's
license production of Sparrows has led to non-Italian press
frequently referring to the missile as a Sparrow variant. Compared to Sparrow, Aspide features an inverse monopulse seeker that is far more accurate and much less susceptible to ECM. Aspide also features new electronics, a new warhead, and a new, more powerful engine. Closed-loop hydraulics were also substituted for Sparrow's open-loop type, which gave Aspide better downrange maneuverability. Surface to air versions of the missile further altered this, replacing the original triangular wings with a newly designed cropped delta version in order to reduce the size of launch canisters. A similar design is the UK's Skyflash, which entered service about the same time. The US's own Sparrow fleet also added an inverse monopulse seeker with AIM-7M in 1982. Variants: Aspide Mk. 1: Similar to AIM-7E, with Selenia monopulse semi-active seeker and SNIA-Viscosa solid-propellant rocket motor. This version was popular with export customers, and sold to 17 countries. The surface-to-air systems are Skyguard and Spada. Aspide Mk. 2: Improved version with active radar-homing seeker. Development was shelved in favor of better missiles, such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM. Aspide 2000: Improved surface-to-air version of the Aspide Mk.1 featuring a 40% improvement in range, used on export Skyguard and Spada 2000 air-defense systems. The ASPIDE 2000 missile is the powerful upgraded version of the ASPIDE multi-role missile for use in surface-to-air systems. Its operational performance has been enhanced making the missile capable of engaging attacking aircraft before they can release their airborne stand-off rocket propelled missiles. Thanks to its outstanding capabilities in range, it can ensure a wide area defence against all type of air threats. The ASPIDE 2000 is equipped with an enhanced single stage rocket motor to increase the missile speed, lateral acceleration and effective range by as much as 40% compared to the ASPIDE baseline missile. It incorporates all modern electronic features to improve its guidance characteristics and effectiveness in heavy clutter and ECM environments. ASPIDE 2000 is compatible with all systems currently using the ASPIDE baseline missile (ALBATROS/ASPIDE, SPADA/ASPIDE and SKYGUARD/ASPIDE, AMOUN) by simply applying a system modification kit at the second maintenance level with complete reuse of existing logistics support. Propulsion: High thrust single stage solid rocket motor Guidance: Semi-active radar homing Warhead and fuze: High lethality fragmentation warhead Proximity fuze, independent from homing seeker, also effective at very low altitude ECCM capability: Compliant with predicted ECM threat Length: 3.7 m Diameter: 234 mm Speed: High supersonic Intercept range: in excess of 25 km Systems: Skyguard I: Surface to air missile complex from Oerlikon Contraves, supports Sparrow, Aspide, and Skyflash. Skyguard II: Improved version of Skyguard with added electro-optical tracking and support for Aspide 2000. Toledo: Skyguard with Skydor fire control system from Navantia. Spada: Surface to air missile complex from Selenia for the Italian Air Force with Selenia PLUTO 2D radar. Spada 2000 Ground Based Air Defence Missile System: Improved version of Spada with Thomson-CSF RAC 3D radar and support for Aspide 2000. Enhanced all-weather air defence system for the protection of sensitive ground sites (air bases, ports, industrial plants, important buildings). Deploying powerful ASPIDE 2000 semi-active missiles, the 20km intercept coverage of the system ensures that air platforms are prevented from releasing their airborne weapons from short range. The basic system configuration comprises: A detection centre, for tactical operational control Two firing sections (expandable to four) One or two missile launcher(s) per firing section The detection centre combines the Search and Identification Radar and the operational centre within a single shelter. The firing section is based on the fire control centre (including the tracking and illumination radar and the control unit) and the missile launchers each equipped with six ready-to-fire missiles. Both the detection centre and the firing sections can be deployed around the defended area at up to 10km relative range, to maximise air defence capabilities in accordance with the required level of protection. Easily transportable by truck, train or by aircraft (C-130 fully compatible),the system can integrate and co-ordinate additional V-SHORADS and anti-air artilleries (up to 10) deployed within a 10km range from the detection centre. In addition, SPADA can be connected to a higher-level air defence architecture. The system is in service in Spain and Italy. System architecture : High degree of modularity and flexibility Radar coverage: in excess of 45 km Missile intercept coverage: in excess of 20 km Engagement capability: up to four simultaneous engagements; more than twelve engagements per sequence Co-ordination capability: up to 10 small anti-air weapons Air transportable: C-130 aircraft Albatros Mk. 2: Naval surface to air missile complex from Selenia developed for the Italian Navy, upgradeable to support Aspide 2000. Specifications: Manufacturer: MBDA Missile Systems (Selenia - ealier) Produced: 1973-present Mass: Aspide Mk. 1: 220 kg (490 lb) / Aspide 2000: 240 kg (530 lb) Length: 3.7 m (12 ft) Diameter: Aspide Mk. 1: 203 mm (8.0 in) / Aspide 2000: 234 mm (9.2 in) Wingspan: Surface to air: 80 cm (31 in) / Air to air: 100 cm (39 in) Warhead: 35 kg (77 lb) Maximum speed: Mach 5 Guidance system: semi-active radar homing Effective firing range: Aspide Mk. 1: 15 km (9.3 mi) for surface to air / 40 km (25 mi) for air to air Aspide 2000: > 25 km (16 mi) for surface to air Launching system: Albatros 8-cell box launcher In service: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela, Ukraine |
| images |
 Aspide SAM Missile was fired from an Albatros launcher  Aspide SAM Missile was fired from an Albatros launcher  Aspide SAM Missile was fired from an Albatros launcher  Aspide SAM Missile was fired from an Albatros launcher  Aspide SAM Missile was fired from an Albatros launcher  An Aspide SAM was fired aboard ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi (C 551)  An Aspide SAM was fired from the Albatros missile launcher aboard the Venezuelan Frigate Almirante Jose de Garcia (F-26)  Aspide 2000 / SPADA  Aspide 2000 / SPADA  Aspide 2000 / SPADA  Aspide 2000 / SPADA  Aspide 2000 / SPADA  Aspide 2000 / SPADA  Aspide 2000 |
|
|
seaforces.org
|
Weapon Systems
start page
| |
