Vertical-launch VT1 missile gains new momentum

Thales Air Systems is seeking a new lease of life for its Crotale Naval VT1 point defence missile system, with the company pushing for a launch order from Bulgaria for a vertical-launch variant to equip the new DCNS Gowind corvettes that are currently the subject of contract talks.

This push follows a recent test, conducted jointly by Thales and DCNS, to demonstrate the vertical launch of the VT1-VL missile from the compact A35 variant of the Sylver vertical launcher system.

The original Crotale Naval system fielded in the 1980s used the Matra R.550 missile. This employed command-to-line-of-sight (CLOS) guidance using a Ku-band radar/IR/TV director.

The hypervelocity VT1 missile was introduced in the 1990s as an upgrade to the Crotale Naval point defence system. The French Navy uses its existing eight-cell Compact launcher systems to fire VT1 from its La Fayette-class frigates (Crotale CN2), while the Royal Navy of Oman employs a lightweight eight-round pedestal launcher aboard its two Project 'Muheet' corvettes (as part of a version branded as Crotale Naval New Generation).

A Mach 3.5 class missile, VT1 incorporates a 13 kg focused blast-fragmentation type warhead (with a lethal radius of 8 m). This is activated by a radar proximity fuze optimised for low-level interceptions, against a background of electronic countermeasures and sea clutter. 220 of 669 words