Sylver vertical launching system

The Sylver (système de lancement vertical) is a vertical launching system (VLS) designed by DCNS and introduced in 2001.^[1]

Aster 15 Sylver launchers on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle

History

Development

DCNS began developing a vertical launching system in the early 1980s^[2], following the Falklands War, which demonstrated the importance for large surface combatants of maintaining a 360° air-defense bubble against anti-ship missiles^[3].

The Sylver family of vertical launchers was developed to meet the requirements of major European naval armament programs^[2]:

• Sylver A43 was developed for the SAAM (Surface-to-Air Anti-Missile) system, using the Aster 15 missile, as part of the broader Franco–Italian FSAF program launched in 1999.
• Sylver A50 was developed under the PAAMS program, adapting the Aster 30 missile from the FSAF program for shipboard use.^[4]
• Sylver A70 was designed for use with the FREMM frigates and the MdCN (Missile de Croisière Naval) cruise missile. It was also considered for launching the Exoguard exo-atmospheric interceptor missile, developed by Astrium for ballistic missile defense^[4].
• Sylver A35 was a smaller launcher envisioned in the early 2000s for the VL Mica missile, but development was not completed due to budget constraints^[5]. Nevertheless, test firings were conducted in December 2007, and continued in October 2008 with a Crotale NG missile^[6].
• A larger Sylver variant is reportedly under consideration for the FMAN/FMC and Aquila programs, intended to replace the Aster missile family in the future.

The first Sylver system was delivered in 1997.^[7]

Production

Sylver launch systems are assembled by Naval Group at the Ruelle Foundry in Ruelle-sur-Touvre, where approximately 60% of each launcher is manufactured. Production requires advanced welding skills due to the high structural demands placed on the system, and components are radiographically inspected to verify their characteristics.

In response to increasing demand, Naval Group reduced production time from 36 months to 24 months after order placement starting in 2019^[3].

Specifications

Comparison graphics

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:

Vertical Missile Launcher Sylver

Model #	Height	Width	Max missile length	Weight
A-35	3.5 metre	2.3 metre	3.5 metre	7 ton
A-43	4.3 metre	2.3 metre	4.3 metre	7.5 ton
A-50	5.0 metre	2.3 metre	5.0 metre	8 ton
A-70	7.0 metre	2.3 metre	7.0 metre	12 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 4.3 metres (14 ft 1 in) long whilst the A-70 can accommodate missiles up to 7 metres (23 ft 0 in) long.

The launchers come in eight-cell modules, except A-35 available in four-cell modules, with each eight-cell module occupying six square metres (65 sq ft) of deck space. Inner size cell is 60 centimetres (24 in) long and 56 cm (22 in) 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.

Vertical Missile Launcher Sylver^[8]

A-35	Mica VL	Crotale VT1	-	-	-
A-43	Mica VL	Crotale VT1	Aster 15	-	-
A-50	Mica VL	Crotale VT1	Aster 15	Aster 30	-
A-70	-	-	Aster 15	Aster 30	MdCN

Usage

Vertical Missile Launcher Sylver Modules installed

			A-35	A-43	A-50	A-70
Algerian National Navy	Kalaat Béni Abbès	1 x Multipurpose amphibious ship			2x
Egyptian Navy	FREMM class	3 x Multi-mission frigate		1x (former French unit)	2x (2 former Italian units)
French Navy	Charles de Gaulle	1 x Nuclear aircraft carrier		4x
	FREMM class	6 x Multi-mission frigate (ASW variant)		2x (on 4 units)	2x (on 2 units)	2x (all 6 units)
	FREMM class	2 x Multi-mission frigate (AAW variant)			4x
	Horizon class	2 x Anti-air warfare destroyer			6x
	Amiral Ronarc’h class	5 x Anti-air warfare/ASW destroyer (under construction; service entry starting 2025)			2x
Italian Navy	Horizon class	2 x Anti-air warfare destroyer			6x
	Cavour	1 x Light aircraft carrier		4x
	FREMM class	10 x Multi-mission frigate			2x
	Paolo Thaon di Revel class	5 x Multi-mission frigate			2x
Republic of Singapore Navy	Formidable class	6 x Multi-mission frigate			4x
Royal Moroccan Navy	FREMM class	1 x Multi-mission frigate		2x
Royal Navy	Type 45	6 x Anti-air warfare destroyer			6x
Royal Saudi Navy	Al Riyadh class	3 x Multi-mission frigate			4x
Qatari Emiri Navy	Doha class	4 x Multi-mission corvette			2x
	Al Fulk	1 x Multipurpose amphibious ship			2x

Future users

 Italy

• 2 x 8 Sylver VLS A50 and 2 x 8 Sylver VLS A70NG will be used on Italian Navy FREMM EVO class, two ordered in 2024 for commissioning begin 2029
• 6 x 8 Sylver VLS A50 and 4 x 8 Sylver VLS A70NG will be used on Italian Navy DDX class, two financed since 2021 for commissioning begin 2030
• 2 x 8 Sylver VLS A50 will be used on Italian Navy PPA class, during Mid Life Update of 2 PPA Light, for commissioning begin about 2028
• 1 x 8 Sylver VLS A50 will be used on Italian Navy EPC / MMPC class, financed since 2022 for commissioning begin 2030

 Greece

• 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

 Malaysia

• Sylver VLS A35 will be used by Royal Malaysian Navy on Maharaja Lela-class frigates

 Qatar

• 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

• GJB 5860-2006 - A vertical launching system of People's Liberation Army Navy.
• K-VLS - A vertical launching system of Republic of Korea Navy.
• Mark 41 Vertical Launching System - A vertical launching system of United States Navy.
• Poliment-Redut - A vertical launching system of Russian Navy, navalized version of S-350.
• 3S-14 - A vertical launching system of Russian Navy for cruise, anti-ship and anti-submarine missiles.