Sylver vertical launching system

{{Short description|Vertical launching system designed by DCNS for warships}}

Image:FS CDG aster.jpg Sylver launchers on the aircraft carrier {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle||2}}]]

The Sylver (système de lancement vertical) is a vertical launching system (VLS) designed by DCNS and introduced in 2001.{{cite web |title=Sylver |url=https://www.deagel.com/Cannons%20&%20Gear/Sylver/a001421 |website=Deagel.com |publisher=Deagel |access-date=9 January 2022}}

Specifications

File:Sylver Launching System - Types of Missiles.gif

The basic unit of Sylver VLS is an eight-cell module fitted with two rows of 56 cm missile cells surrounding the uptake for exhaust gas, and the specifications for different models are as follows:

class="wikitable"

|+ Vertical Missile Launcher Sylver

| Model #

LengthWidthMax missile lengthWeight
A-353.5 metre2.3 metre3.5 metre7 ton
A-434.3 metre2.3 metre4.3 metre7.5 ton
A-505.0 metre2.3 metre5.0 metre8 ton
A-70 7.0 metre2.3 metre7.0 metre12 ton

The launcher comes in several variants, each distinguished by their height. A-35 and A-43 were developed for launching short range surface-to-air missiles, the A-50 for the long-range PAAMS air defense system, and the A-70 launcher for longer missiles such as the MdCN naval land attack cruise missile. The numbers refer to the approximate length of the missile which can be accommodated, in decimetres, i.e. the A-43 can hold missiles which are up to {{convert|4.3|m|ftin}} long whilst the A-70 can accommodate missiles up to {{convert|7|m|ftin}} long.

The launchers come in eight-cell modules, except A-35 available in four-cell modules, with each eight-cell module occupying {{convert|6|m2|spell=in}} of deck space. Inner size cell is {{convert|60|cm}} long and {{cvt|56|cm}} wide, and each cell has its own exhaust vent. Crotale NG (VT1) missiles can be quad-packed in one cell.

The primary application of the launcher has been the Aster. The Sylver, together with the Aster, is the primary component of the PAAMS naval anti-air warfare system. Using PAAMS, up to eight missiles can be launched in 10 seconds.

France has developed a sea-based deep strike cruise missile capable of being launched from the Sylver. Called the MdCN, the missile gives the French Navy a land-attack capability in the mould of the U.S. Tomahawk.

class="wikitable"

|+ Vertical Missile Launcher Sylver{{cite web |url=http://www.dcnsgroup.com/files/pdf/Sylver.pdf |title=Sylver Multi-Missile Vertical Launcher |publisher=DCNS Group |access-date=2008-11-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081114195052/http://www.dcnsgroup.com/files/pdf/Sylver.pdf |archive-date=2008-11-14 }}

| A-35

Mica VLCrotale VT1---
A-43Mica VLCrotale VT1Aster 15--
A-50Mica VLCrotale VT1Aster 15Aster 30-
A-70 --Aster 15Aster 30MdCN

Usage

class="wikitable"

|+ Vertical Missile Launcher Sylver Modules installed

|

A-35{{center|A-43}}{{center|A-50}}{{center|A-70}}
{{navy|ALG}}Kalaat Béni Abbès1 x Multipurpose amphibious ship{{center|2x}}
{{navy|EGY}}FREMM class3 x Multi-mission frigate{{center|1x}} (former French unit){{center|2x}} (2 former Italian units)
rowspan="5" | {{navy|FRA}}{{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle2}}1 x Nuclear aircraft carrier{{center|4x}}
FREMM class6 x Multi-mission frigate (ASW variant){{center|2x (on 4 units)}}{{center|2x (on 2 units)}}{{center|2x (all 6 units)}}
FREMM class2 x Multi-mission frigate (AAW variant){{center|4x}}
{{sclass2|Horizon|frigate|4}}2 x Anti-air warfare destroyer{{center|6x}}
Amiral Ronarc’h class5 x Anti-air warfare/ASW destroyer (under construction; service entry starting 2025){{center|2x}}
rowspan="4" | {{navy|ITA}}Horizon class2 x Anti-air warfare destroyer{{center|6x}}
{{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Cavour2}}1 x Light aircraft carrier{{center|4x}}
FREMM class10 x Multi-mission frigate| {{center|2x}}
{{Sclass|Paolo Thaon di Revel|offshore patrol vessel|4}}5 x Multi-mission frigate| {{center|2x}}
{{navy|SGP}}{{sclass|Formidable|frigate|4}}6 x Multi-mission frigate{{center|4x}}
{{navy|MAR}}FREMM class1 x Multi-mission frigate{{center|2x}}
{{navy|UK}}Type 456 x Anti-air warfare destroyer{{center|6x}}
{{navy|KSA}}Al Riyadh class3 x Multi-mission frigate{{center|4x}}
rowspan="2" | {{navy|QAT}}Doha class4 x Multi-mission corvette{{center|2x}}
Al Fulk1 x Multipurpose amphibious ship{{center|2x}}

Future users

{{ITA}}

  • 2 x 8 Sylver VLS A50 will be used on Italian Navy FREMM EVO class, two planned in 2023 for commissioning begin 2029
  • 6 x 8 Sylver VLS A50 and 4 x 8 Sylver VLS A70 will be used on Italian Navy DDX class, two financed since 2021 for commissioning begin 2029
  • 2 x 8 Sylver VLS A50 will be used on Italian Navy EPC / MMPC class, financed since 2022 for commissioning begin 2030

{{GRC}}

  • 4 x 8 Sylver A50 will be used by the Hellenic Navy on each of the three FDI HN frigates for MBDA Aster 30 missiles

{{MAS}}

{{QAT}}

  • Sylver VLS A50 will be used on Qatari Emiri Navy vessels (1 x 8 on one LPD and 2 x 8 on four frigates), ordered on 16 June 2016 to Fincantieri for commissioning begin 2022

See also

References

{{Reflist}}