Exercise Formidable Shield 2019 (FS19) has been underway off Scotland during the past two weeks. This was a live-fire integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) exercise designed to test NATO warships response to conventional and ballistic missile attacks.
Background
FS19 is one of a series of US-Navy led European missile defence exercises held approximately every two years. As experience has been gained, the capabilities are increasing. In September 2013 HMS Daring participated in a Ballistic Missile Defence demonstration led by the US Navy. Her Sampson Multi-Function Radar detected and tracked two medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) targets at the Reagan Test Site in the Pacific, surpassing expectations. The At Sea Demonstration in 2015 (ASD15) was run in parallel with the Exercise Joint Warrior (JW152) and for the first time in European waters, networked sensors aboard several NATO warships tracked and destroyed an Aegis Readiness Assessment Vehicle (ARAV) ballistic missile surrogate with a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) fired from USS Ross. HMS Dauntless participated in this exercise.
During Formidable Shield 2017 (FS17) held off the North West coast of Scotland, 13 ships fired live missiles, engaging 12 separate targets. This was the first time NATO’s ‘Smart Defence’ concept had been demonstrated with warships providing air defence for the ballistic missile-equipped units. The ships also successfully responded to a no-notice anti-ship missiles attack as part of the IAMD scenario. FS17 was described as the most sophisticated and complex air and missile exercise ever undertaken in the UK. HMS Dragon participated, although the UK MoD refused to provide any details at the time, with only the Dutch and US Navies providing information after the event.
Rockets over the sea
Commenting on Formidable Shield 2019, the RN says it conducted air defence training and evaluation with HMS Defender and HMS Northumberland participating. RN Involvement in the exercise went beyond just the ships in the exercise area, and included data gathering and analysis of activities throughout. Logistical support came from Faslane and RN personnel embarked on many of the ships. The UK also provided a key land-based element – the MoD/Qinetiq Hebrides range sites on South Uist, Benbecula and St Kilda. This includes a number of launch pads for target missiles, radar tracking, telemetry and evaluation facilities. RAF Lossiemouth hosted a total of 10 US Airforce F-16 jets and E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft from Germany. The F-16s simulated attacks on ships and air-launched supersonic target drones. The AWACS provided aerial over-watch to ensure that the airspace was clear.
FS19 involved about 3,300 personnel, 12 warships and a support ship. US Navy Captain Shanti Sethi directed the exercise from on board the Danish flagship, HDMS Absalon. The latest iteration of the AEGIS system was proven as USS Carney conducted simultaneous SM-2 missile engagement while tracking space and atmospheric targets. USS Roosevelt fired an SM-3 at a Terrier Oriole ARAV missile target while concurrently engaging Firejet targets with an SM-2 missile. HMS Defender unleashed a Mach-4 Sea Viper (Aster 30) successfully destroying a fast and low target. The frigate Bretagne completed the first destruction of a supersonic target by an Aster-15 fired by a French ship. The Canadian frigate, St Johns launched 2 Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles (ESSM) and Norwegian frigate, Otto Sverdrup, one ESSM.
These IAMD exercises build confidence in the systems, gather data and refine skills of the warfare operators who have very limited opportunities to conduct live firings. Unfortunately, the considerable expense of each missile and potential risks mean that multiple saturation attacks that surface ships could have to deal with in a real conflict can never be fully replicated and exercised.
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HMS Defender leads ITS Carlo Bergamini and HNLMS De Ruyter – seen from the flagship HMDS Absalon. -
The mighty Viper. In a split seccond, the missile emerges from one of the Sylver VLS cells and rapidly accelerates up to 4 times the speed of sound. -
Operations Room of HMS Defender during Sea Viper launch -
12 NATO warships sail in company off the North West of Scotland for PHOTEX at the start of the exercise, 9 May 2019. -
Terrier Oriole ARAV ballistic missile surrogate blasts off from the MoD Hebrides range prior to interception by SM-3 missile fired by the US Navy. -
The Terrier Oriole, also known as the Aegis Readiness Assessment Vehicle (ARAV) is a two-stage rocket that can emulate ballistic missile threats. It can reach 320 kilometres above the earth. When first launched from the Hebrides range in 2017, it became the highest and largest object ever fired into space from the UK. -
The South Uist facility. The MoD/Qinetiq Hebrides range provides a fully instrumented test area for test, evaluation and training for complex weapons. The site has radar tracking, telemetry and secure storage areas for munitions. The range was upgraded in 2015 to support Maritime Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence. -
MoD Hebrides range has a huge area of sanitised airspace with unlimited altitude and for specific exercises, this can be extended out into the North Atlantic. -
The AQM-37C Jayhawk is an air-launched supersonic target drone capable of simulating an inbound ICBM warhead is prepared for loading onto an F-16 at RAF Lossiemouth, 2017. -
A US Airforce F-16C takes off from RAF Lossiemouth carrying a Jayhawk, 9 May 2019. -
Qinetiq personnel assist Canadian sailors preparing a Vindicator target drone prior to launch from of the flight deck of HMCS St Johns, 9 May 2019. The Vindicator II UAV-T is designed to simulate low/slow threats such as helicopters and UAVs and has a maximum speed of about 170 knots. (Photo: Royal Candian Navy)
UK Ballistic Missile Defence capability?
The 2015 SDSR committed the UK to further contribute to the NATO Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) network, as well as supporting research and development initiatives and multinational engagement through the UK’s Missile Defence Centre (MDC). The UK mainland has some protection from short/intermediate range threats from the land-based NATO Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence (ALTBMD) system. This is not a defence against ICBMs (that could, for example, be launched by Russian submarines), protection for UK Overseas Territories or the fleet at sea.
SDSR 2015 also promised to further investigate the potential of the Type 45 Destroyers to operate in a BMD role. The interception of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles is expensive and an extremely complex technical challenge, even for superpowers. Defence against tactical and short-range ballistic missiles from sea-based platforms is a more realistic place to begin the development of UK BMD capability. Even this scenario involves the detection of targets hundreds of miles away by land or sea-based radar, passing of targeting data to launch platforms then the interception and destruction of missiles travelling several times the speed of sound all within a time frame of less than a minute.
In October 2014 the RN launched a study to examine whether the Type 45 destroyers could be armed with the proven US-made SM-3 Block II missile. This would involve fitting 2 eight-cell, strike-length Mk 41 VLS modules in the vacant space between the 4.5” gun and the Sea Viper silo. While theoretically possible, it would require the purchase of SM-3 stocks from Raytheon, a completely new missile in the UK inventory needing integration with the Sampson radar and Combat Management Systems.
A more affordable route to achieving ABM capability would be to upgrade existing Aster 30 missile stocks. The Aster 30 Block 0 missiles that equip the Type 45s could be upgraded to Block 1 standard by a software and firmware upgrade conducted at DM Gosport where they are stored and maintained. Together with an upgrade to the ships combat management systems, this would give at least the Type 45 the ability to kill short-range anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM).
In 2016 France and Italy committed to developing the Aster 30 Block 1NT which will enter service from 2022. The Block 1NT missiles retain the same external form and compatibility with the Sylver VLS but have the ability to deal with both short and medium-range ballistic missiles (with an effective range from 1,000-1,300 km). The main addition is a new Ka-band radar seeker head for greater acquisition range and accuracy. There is also and Aster Block 2 in development to deal with intermediate-range missiles up to 3,000km.
With little choice but to spend limited funds on fixing the Type 45 propulsion issues, adding Mk 41 cells or Aster upgrades remain an aspiration for the RN. With renewed enthusiasm for sending the QEC carriers to the South China Sea, defence against ASBMs would seem to have assumed greater importance. It is frustrating that the RN has the best conventional air defence asset and sensor in the shape of the Type 45 and its Sampson MFR but despite its significant involvement in Formidable Shield, will be behind the US, France and Italy in having the ability to destroy even short-range tactical ballistic missiles.
Let me ask a question, if there is space between the 4.5 inch and the Sea Viper silos for MK41 launchers could that same space be used for the Sylver A-50 or A-70, or is it already wired and plumed up for the MK41. The A-70 would be better as the support and tiffies already know the A-50.
By doing that it would give the RN the option of carrying cruise missiles, SCALP, Aster 30 block 1NT or Block 2 BMD. It should be easier to integrate Aster variants rather than a completely new missile. This would improve the capabilities of the T45 especially as a carrier escort and utilise the excellent sensor platform that the ships have. The weapons mix then could look like 48 Asters 15-30, 4 SCALP Naval missiles, 4 Aster Block 1NT, 4 Block 2 BMD and 16 Sea Ceptors, 8 Harpoon or its replacement canister launched. Although still not up to an Arliegh Burke class it is starting to look like a potent Carrier escort that could deal with most things coming its way.
If I can ask one more question for the group, can the T45 take command and control of the weapons outfit of another ship, for example if a T23 is out on picket and its sensors have not picked up a target or the T45 has run out of missiles can the ship use its sensors to control the T23 weapons? If not that would be a useful tool in the carrier group.
For complicated historical reasons, the RN has ended up in a bit of an odd position using Sylver and Mk41. (Mk41 is being fitted to Type 26)
Fitting Sylver A-70 to T45 is an option but can’t see UK buying SCALP. (SCALP Is due to be replaced by Anglo-French FCASW in 2030s) Mk 41 is more flexible as can fit Tomahawk, ASROC or SM-3.
There was a programme called Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) that would do exactly what you describe and is compatible with US warships. Having CEC was used as an excuse to mitigate the cut from 12 down to 6 Type 45s but guess what? CEC has been deleted as well.
I knew the Type 45 had something like Aegis that got cancelled but I couldn’t remember what it was lol I am surprised that the Type 45s arent oversized patrols with just small arms considering what they were supposed to have and what they did come with ? increase defence to 4% GDP please…
The T45 could cue the missile using link 16 if I recall correctly. So yes kind of, it could use another ship as a magazine.
What is your opinion on what should be done with the additional VLS space?
The obvious chalk up would appear to be either doubling down on the air defence role and adding additional magazine capacity for Aster15/30 (fitting Sylver a50/70), or fitting MK.41 and expanding the role of the very limited number of ships available.
IMO, the former appears the path of least resistance. Maintaining a common VLS and further specialising the ship for the role which it was designed. It also avoids further integration work and maintenance of additional complex weapon types (a cost which should not be underestimated).
With the proliferation of anti ship missiles and stark numerical disadvantage the royal navy is likely to face in any peer confrontation, additional magazine capacity should be highly sought after. To be frank it’s highly unlikely we will see either option exercised, it’s a relief to see all the T45s receiving the propulsion rectification as opposed to becoming alongside training vessels.
If it was an option I’d prefer to see Mk.41 as history appears to be largely on its side (was reading about the VHS/Betamax war the other day), with weapon integration covered largely by allies and industry I think that’d be a win for us, these could migrate to T26 as the T45’s are decommissioned as I personally find they look a little spare in that area.
We’re also probably, or should I say hopefully looking at Mk.41 on the T31.
My scouring of the internet a while back suggested that an eight cell Mk.41module cost about ten million, so I don’t know what the chances of it happening are. Having said that, it’s not a great deal of money in the scheme of things is it.
“either option exercised” made me chuckle, extra tubes would intrude on the ships gym I believe.
I remember the feud between VHS/Betamax. I’m glad VHS won out. Other formats competed for dominance over the years. DCC and DAT tapes in the 90’s. CD’s won that race. HD DVD and Bluray. And we all know how that turned out.
There has to be standard so it would better suited for interoperability with allied countries. If the UK were to install MK41 VLS on the Type45s, to house the SM3’s, it would greatly expand the operating scope of those ships and give a more layered defense capability to the UK and European theater.
The SM3 is a proven system and is in operation with the USN and JMSDF. I’ve heard that South Korea also wants to adopt SM3 and be part of the BMD system. I believe they are also developing their own BMD system with their M-SAM and L-SAM systems.
The UK could adopt the SM3 and better integrate with US systems and the recent tests in Formidable Shield have proven that the SM3 and the US missile shield in place around Europe will better protect it from missile threats.
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2019/05/raytheons-missiles-demonstrate-strong-capabilities-in-nato-formidable-shield-2019-exercise/
The Aster Block NT is not yet proven and has no operational history to compare to the SM3s.
Addition of ballistic missile defense capability will be of high priority, I agree. If Aster NT can do it, just buy it. If you need SM-3, add Mk.41. I have no appetite on adding TLAM/SCALP or any land attack missiles on T45’s VLS, because the CV they are escorting is designed for strike. Purely on BMD basis the decision should take place.
Also, I hope to add 6-12 ExLS (which was selected by Brazil and Canada, good news! ) to T45 to add 24-48 CAMM. In place, replace 16 Aster 15 with Aster 30. Especially if Aster NT is selected for BMD, adding CAMM with ExLS will free-up those 16 Sylver VLS silos for “BMD tasks”. As Sea Ceptors’s software is “70%” based on Sea Viper’s, I guess CAMM integration to T45 will be easy.
We should also create the equivalent of the “Aegis ashore” by installing Samson radars and Aster Block 2 BDM or SM 3 at sites around the country.