Italian Navy Aster 30 Missile: The Italian Navy has achieved a major milestone by successfully testing its advanced air defence missile system, the SAAM-ESD PPA, on its newest warship, the Giovanni delle Bande Nere. This test marks a key step in qualifying the ship’s ability to defend itself and other vessels from airborne threats.
On 18 February, the Italian Navy conducted a successful test firing of the Aster 30 missile from the Giovanni delle Bande Nere. The missile was launched in integrated mode with the ship’s Command Management System (CMS). The test took place at the Italian Joint Armed Forces Firing Range in the waters off Eastern Sardinia.
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The crew of the Giovanni delle Bande Nere, with support from industry partners like MBDA Italia, Leonardo, and Fincantieri, carried out the test. The missile successfully intercepted a target simulating an anti-ship missile.
Claudia de Cesare, the ship’s commander, said, “The launch was conducted in full compliance with the established planning. Each phase of the operation fully met expectations, and the successful achievement is evidence of the effective teamwork that saw us operate in perfect synergy with the industrial sector” reported by Naval News.
What is SAAM-ESD PPA System?
The SAAM-ESD PPA is an advanced air defence system developed by MBDA Italia for the Italian Navy. It includes a command and control module, missile firing units, and the Naval Group A50 vertical launching system. The system uses Aster missiles, including the Aster 15, Aster 30, and Block 1NT, to protect ships from airborne threats.
The system is integrated with the ship’s CMS and works alongside the Leonardo Dual Band Radar (DBR). The DBR includes advanced sensors that help detect and track threats. The radar system can adapt to different situations, ensuring the ship is always ready to defend itself and other vessels in its group.
This test is a step in qualifying the SAAM-ESD PPA system for the Thaon di Revel-class ships. The Giovanni delle Bande Nere is the first ship in this class to test the system in integrated mode with its CMS. Earlier, the ship had conducted a test in stand-alone mode to check the system’s basic functions and the ship’s structural integrity.
The successful test means the ship is now ready to participate in international exercises. The Italian Navy plans to send the Giovanni delle Bande Nere to the Formidable Shield 2025 exercise, a NATO-led event focused on air and missile defence.
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Advanced Technology on Board
The SAAM-ESD PPA system is designed not just to protect the ship it is on but also to defend other ships in a group. This makes it a valuable asset for naval operations. The system’s advanced radar and missile technology ensure high levels of detection, situational awareness, and protection.
The Leonardo Dual Band Radar (DBR) plays a crucial role in this system. It uses both C-band and X-band radar to detect threats. The radar system works with the ship’s electronic warfare suite, which includes systems for detecting and countering enemy signals.
The Giovanni Delle Bande Nere is part of Italy’s new Thaon di Revel-class of multi-purpose combat ships. These ships are designed to handle a variety of missions, from air defence to anti-submarine warfare. The successful test of the SAAM-ESD PPA system shows Italy’s commitment to strengthening its naval capabilities.
Before this there was another ship in the same class, the Raimondo Montecuccoli, which participated in the Pacific Dragon 24 exercise in Hawaii. During this exercise, the ship’s combat system, including the Leonardo DBR, was successfully tested in real-world conditions.
