Sylver launcher
636764
204121476
2008-04-08T01:22:42Z
Nrw304
5319707
[[Image:FS CDG aster.jpg|thumb|250px|[[MBDA Aster|Aster 15]] Sylver launchers on the ''[[FS Charles de Gaulle|Charles de Gaulle]]'']]
The '''Sylver''' (Systeme de Lancement Vertical) is a vertical [[missile]] launcher designed by [[DCNS]]. The launcher comes in several variants, each distinguished by their height. The A-43 was 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 larger missiles such as the SCALP 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 long whilst the A-70 can accommodate missiles up to 7 metres long.
The launchers come in eight-cell modules, with each module occupying six square metres of deck space.
The primary application of the launcher has been the [[MBDA Aster]] missile. 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.
The French Navy has initiated studies to convert the [[Storm Shadow|SCALP EG]] missile to be capable of launch from the Sylver. This missile, the SCALP Naval, would give [[France]] a land attack capability in the mould of the [[United States|U.S.]] [[Tomahawk missile]]. It would also be attractive to the [[Royal Navy]], whose [[Type 45 destroyer]]s will be equipped with the Sylver launcher, although the A50 type cannot take this missile at present.
<div align="left">
{| class="prettytable"
|+ Vertical Missile Launcher Sylver
| '''A-43''' || Aster 15 || -
|-
| '''A-50''' || Aster 15 || Aster 30
|-
| '''A-70 '''|| SCALP Naval || Aster 15 & 30 <ref>http://www.ttu.fr/site/francais/frdocpdf/EADSNAVAL06.pdf</ref>
|}
</div>
==Usage==
*[[Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier]] - Nuclear aircraft carrier CV(N)
*[[Cavour (550)|Cavour aircraft carrier]] - Light [[V/STOL]] aircraft carrier
*[[Formidable class frigate]] - [[Republic of Singapore Navy|Singaporean]] multi-mission stealth frigate
*[[FREMM multipurpose frigate]] - French/[[Italy|Italian]] frigates
*[[Horizon class frigates]] - French/[[Italy|Italian]] anti-air warfare destroyers
*[[La Fayette class frigate]]s - Export version, possible upgrade of French ships
*[[Type 45 destroyer|Type 45]] - UK anti-air warfare destroyers
==See also==
* [[Vertical Launching System]]
* [http://www.dcns.fr/us/offre/equipements/sylver.html Official DCNS website]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Naval surface-to-air missiles]]
{{missile-stub}}
[[it:VLS SYLVER]]