CAMM (missile family)


The CAMM series is a familyCAMM #cite note-9| of surface-to-air missiles developed by MBDA 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, 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. CAMM #cite note-contract-1|CAMM #cite note-10|

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.CAMM #cite note-naval-technology-8| It does this via multiple channels of fire, providing 360-degree simultaneous coverage and high degrees of manoeuvrability. MBDA state that CAMM has a "high rate of fire against multiple simultaneous targets",CAMM #cite note-MBDAdatasheet-24| 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. Additionally, the command and control software reuses over 75% of that developed for the PAAMS system.CAMM #cite note-dsei11-12|
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. These ranges are significantly greater than the 1–10 km range of Sea Wolf and other systems CAMM will replace.CAMM #cite note-Sweetman20110523-23| CAMM weights 99 kilograms, is in length, 166 millimetres diameter and reaches generous supersonic speeds of Mach 3.
CAMM's claimed benefits include:
CAMM's Extended Range application is known as CAMM-ER and has been under development with MBDA for the Italian MoD since 2013CAMM #cite note-27|. The CAMM-ER 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 in weight, 4.2 metres in length, 190 millimetres diameter.

History

The Common Anti-Air Modular Missile has its roots in a Technology Demonstration Programme, jointly funded by MBDA and the Ministry of Defence as part of the United Kingdom's Future Local Area Air Defence System. 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. 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. The Soft Vertical Launch was proven over a series of trials, culminating in a successful truck launch in May 2011. The MoD decision on the business case for the naval variant was scheduled for 2010. 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 to equip forces in the air, land and maritime environments. 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."

Milestones

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.
MBDA claim 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.CAMM #cite note-CAMM Common Anti-Air Modular Missile air defense system-25| A Royal Navy Officer of the Type 23 Frigate HMS Westminster stated: “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.”

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. The system has over three-times the range of its predecessor Rapier.
For international customers, MBDA markets the "Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solutions." This is a rapidly deployable point and area defence system designed to protect mobile and static high value assets. It provides all-weather protection against air targets, including low level terrain and high altitude threats. Each EMADS launcher is scalable and can carry multiple CAMM or CAMM-ER missiles as well as being mobile with off-road capability. The system provides EMADS with pre-launch targeting information based on track data from a suitable radar sensor.

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.

Operators

Current operators