The CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) is a family of surface-to-air missiles developed by MBDA UK for the United Kingdom. CAMM is derived from and shares some common features and components with the ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile), but with updated electronics, a soft vertical launch system, and an active radar homing seeker. Beyond the UK, the CAMM family is either currently in-use or has been ordered by nine other nations.
In the Royal Navy, CAMM; the point and local area defence variant with a range of greater than 25 kilometres (16 mi); is part of Sea Ceptor air defence system and has been replacing the Sea Wolf missiles on Type 23 frigates since 2018.[3] It is also planned to equip both the Type 26 and Type 31 frigates, and intended to replace Aster 15 on the Type 45 destroyers.[4][5][6] In the British Army, CAMM forms the interceptor component of the Sky Sabre / Land Ceptor air defence system, which, replaced the Rapier missile in 2021.[7][8][9] The development of CAMM is also contributing to the updating of ASRAAM in service with the Royal Air Force.[10]
An extended-range version of the CAMM (CAMM-ER) is in the final stages of co-development between the UK and Italy and is capable of reaching targets over 45 kilometres (28 mi) away.[11]Brazil is independently developing the similar 40 kilometres (25 mi)+ ranged MV-AMA (AVibras Medium Altitude Missile) for its Astros 2020MLRS and naval platforms.[12][13][14][15] A larger CAMM-MR (medium-range) missile with a range of over 100 kilometres (62 mi) is being co-developed between the UK and Poland and slated to equip Polish Miecznik-class frigates and Wisła air defence systems.[16][17]
Development
The Common Anti-Air Modular Missile has its roots in a Technology Demonstration Programme (TDP), jointly funded by MBDA and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as part of the United Kingdom's Future Local Area Air Defence System (FLAADS).[18] FLAADS is part of a wider UK "Team Complex Weapons" programme to deliver a variety of weapons and maintain UK sovereign capability in this area.[19] FLAADS is intended to deliver a common weapons platform, the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM), to equip forces in the air, land and maritime environments.[20][21] During the early stages of the FLAADS programme, requirements were identified for the new missile to meet both current and anticipated threats, namely "airborne targets which are typified by high speed, rapid evasive manoeuvres, low signatures and advanced countermeasure[s]."[22][23]
Phase 1 of the TDP worked on technologies for soft vertical launch, the low-cost active radar seeker, a dual-band two-way data link and a programmable open systems architecture.[18] Phase 2 began in 2008 and covered the manufacture of flight-worthy subsystems, mid-course guidance firings and captive airborne seeker trials on a QinetiqAndover experimental aircraft.[18] The Soft Vertical Launch was proven over a series of trials, culminating in a successful truck launch in May 2011.[10] In January 2012 the MoD awarded MBDA a £483 million contract to develop FLAADS (Maritime) to replace Sea Wolf missiles on Type 23 frigates now known as Sea Ceptor.[19][24]
Throughout this development, ASRAAM was used as the base missile (similar to other missile programs e.g. MICA, Sparrow, and IRIS-T) with new software, a turnover pack, folding fins, RF seeker, and data-link added to facilitate the required capabilities.[10] Technologies and components developed for CAMM have been used to upgrade ASRAAM as part of the Block 6 upgrade.[10][23][25][26][27] Development costs were reduced by a using modular design and minimised complexity.[18] Additionally, the command and control software reuses around 70% of that developed for the Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS) onboard the Type 45 destroyers.[28]
In January 2015, the MoD announced that it had signed a development and manufacturing deal with MBDA in late December 2014.[29]
on 13 March 2024, it was announced that MBDA was seeking to triple the monthly production rate of the CAMM family of missiles from 2022 to 2026. Furthermore, MBDA would double production capacity of its Bolton facility in the UK and create a second final assembly line for CAMM-ER in Italy.[31]
Characteristics
The CAMM family utilise a combination of a two-way data link (NATO Link 16 / Link 11 compatible) that provides for in-flight guidance and retargeting[7][10] whilst an Active RF seeker provides the missile's terminal phase with high performance in all weather conditions, and additionally, removes the need for complex and high-cost fire control/illumination radars from within the defence system.[28][7] This combination reportedly allows for a high rate of fire against multiple simultaneous targets (saturation attacks)[8] and against a "wide target set" with missile also described as having a "modest" surface-to-surface capability.[7][32][4][33][34]
The CAMM family are also described as having a maintenance-free design throughout the missile's shelf life of reportedly 10 years, with the munition remaining safely sealed in its launch cannister until firing.[7][10] The missile's software utilises open-systems architecture allowing for easier integration with new sensors and combat management systems.[7][10][35][18] Additionally, all munitions are rated as Insensitive munition compliant for improved platform survivability in the event of damage.[10]
The munitions of the CAMM family can be used interchangeably by both naval and ground-based air defence systems allowing for common usage and shared munition stockpiles between military branches.[10][8][36][34]
Soft vertical launch
One of the CAMM family's most notable features is its Soft Vertical Launch (Cold launch) system (SVL). Unlike the more traditional hot launch method, SVL uses a gas generator to pneumatically eject the missile from its canister before turning-over towards the target, engaging its rocket motor and accelerating. Whilst still providing 360° launch coverage, the unique benefits of this new launch method include:
Increased range by saving all the rocket motor's energy to power the intercept.[10]
Reduced minimum intercept range by reducing turn-over arc.[28]
Reduced stress on launch platforms and the removal of most efflux management concerns allows for both reduced launcher maintenance, as well as lighter and more compact launcher options and launching locations such as the greater feasibility of firing the missile from wooded or urban areas.[7][28][35][37][38][34]
Reduced launch signature (visual / infrared) for better launch platform concealment (also potentially enables the physical camouflaging of the launcher) and reduced sensor obstruction post-firing.[7][28][35][38]
Ground-based air defence (Land Ceptor)
An iLauncher within the Sky Sabre air defence system of the British Army. The dome atop the telescopic mast contains the missile data link whilst beside it is the (collapsed) electro-optical system. The vehicle in the background mounts the towering SAAB Giraffe radar specific to Sky Sabre.
The land application of CAMM is marketed as both the "Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solutions" (EMADS) package or "Land Ceptor".[39][40]
iLauncher
The system utilises MBDA's Intelligent launcher (iLauncher), a scalable, palletised erector launcher for up to eight CAMM or CAMM-ER missiles and mounted to an 8x8 vehicle of choice. iLauncher provides the two-way data link for the missiles in-flight and can also optionally integrate an electro-optical targeting system for passive target acquisition in the vicinity and line of sight of the launcher. Additionally, iLauncher is capable of self-loading/unloading missile racks via a hook system or change individual missile canisters with the assistance of a crane. It is also fitted with its own power supply allowing it to be dismounted from the parent vehicle and operated remotely if necessary, as well as mounting onboard test-equipment for streamlined maintenance.[8][10][37][41][34]
Integration
As part of EMADS, CAMM and iLauncher are designed to be integrated with a customers choice of command and radar systems, as well as wider battlespace management systems such as Northrop Grumman's Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS).[34][42] The various component systems of EMADS are reportedly designed to be able to operate up to 15km away from one another allowing a fire group / battery to be dispersed over a wide area to improve survivability.[10]
Naval-based air defence (Sea Ceptor)
The naval application of CAMM is marketed as "Sea Ceptor".[35][43]
CAMM's soft vertical launch capability and its resulting removal of most efflux management concerns aboard ships, enables the use of variety of shipborne launching options:
"Mushroom farms"
Sea Ceptor 32-cell 'Mushroom Farm' on the British Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster. Note the black protective cap on each cell.
The low cost, low weight, option is to use CAMM's own vertical launch canisters colloquially known as "mushroom farms" due to their capped appearance as seen on some platforms such as the Type 23 frigates which use a lengthened and modified version of their existing Sea Wolf launch cells.[28][32] The cap covering the cells must be removed prior to firing.[44][45] This modified launch system is also present on the Royal New Zealand Navy's Anzac-class frigates in a 20-cell configuration and was seen on the earliest depictions of Royal Navy's upcoming Type 31 frigate configured for 24-cells.[28][46][47] A more modular appearance of this launcher has since been depicted on the Type 31 frigates (prior to the announcement of the fitting of their Mark 41 vertical launch system) and on the Pakistan Navy's Babur-class corvettes with two six-cell launch modules (12-cells).[5][48] The Royal Navy's Type 26 frigate appear(ed) to use a further variation of this 6-cell launch module arrangement (8 modules / 48-cells) but with the cells recessed into the deck.[28][49]
Alternately, CAMM's integration with Lockheed Martin's Extensible Launching System (ExLS) host munitions adapter enables CAMM and CAMM-ER to be quad-packed and CAMM-MR to be dual-packed into the larger and multi-role Mark 41 or Mark 57 vertical launching systems to provide a heavier and more expensive, but much more space efficient launching option for greater missile capacity.[50][51][52][7][10][53] Quad-packing and potentially dual-packing can also occur on the similar French Sylver vertical launching system.[35][7][10] The ExLS product line also has a standalone three-cell launch module (although CAMM marketing material from 2015 had shown animations of the ExLS module in other configurations such as a 4-cell launch module)[54] that can provide tactical-length launch capabilities comparable to the Mark 41 (quad/dual-packing) but in a lighter and smaller package for a middle-ground launcher option for CAMM and CAMM-ER.[51][53]
Integration
CAMM can be integrated on vessels as small as 50 metres (160 ft) such as in/offshore patrol vessels or on larger surface combatants (Destroyers / Frigates), only requiring the internal installation of the necessary computing systems as well as above-deck aerials for the two-way data link for the missiles and is designed to be easily integrated with a ship's combat management system.[28][7][35] CAMM can be guided by the fire-control channel(s) present on most modern 3D radar systems which, combined with CAMM's active-radar seeker, means there is no requirement for a ship to mount dedicated fire-control or radar illuminator systems, further helping to reduce cost, weight, and maintenance requirements.[28][7][35][55][56]
Variants
Main variants
CAMM
The point defence and local-area defence variant. CAMM weighs 99 kg (218 lb), is 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) in length, and is 166 mm (6.5 in) in diameter. CAMM has a minimum operational range of less than 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) and a maximum range greater than 25 km (16 mi), although IHS Jane's reported that trials have a shown a capability of traveling up to 60 kilometres (37 mi).[7][57] These ranges are significantly greater than the 1–10 kilometres (0.62–6.21 mi) range of Sea Wolf and other systems (Rapier) that CAMM would replace.[10] Can be quad-packed.
CAMM-ER (Extended-Range)
Mock-up of a quad-packed CAMM-ER missile (left) and an Aster 30 missile (right), on display inside the hangar of Italian frigate Carabiniere (F593), at Victoria Quay, in the inner harbour of the Port of Fremantle, Western Australia.
The extended-range point and local-area defence variant. Under development with MBDA and Avio for the Italian Ministry of Defence since 2013. CAMM-ER weighs 160 kg (350 lb), is 4.2 metres (14 feet) in length, and is 190 mm (7.5 in) diameter.[58] Alongside the addition of strakes and fins to the body as well as a slightly redesigned seeker radome, CAMM-ER utilises a new Avio rocket motor, enabling a range in excess of 40–45 kilometres (25–28 mi), although these ranges are reported as conservative.[59] Can be quad-packed.
CAMM-MR (Medium-Range)
An area defence variant with a range in excess of 100 kilometres (62 mi) being developed in partnership between MBDA UK and PGZ as of 2023.[17] The missile is being primarily developed for Polish requirements as a low-cost, locally produced missile to compliment the PAC-3 MSE within the Wisła system, as well as to have a single medium-range missile that can be used by both ground based air defence assets and the Polish Navy's Miecznik-class frigates.[60][43] Whilst there is little information on the missile's overall characteristics, official images of the munition shows two missiles loaded into a single Mark 41 cell making CAMM-MR the first munition of this range class capable of being dual-packed into the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System, enabling 16 missiles to be carried by a single Mark 41 eight-cell launch module.[60]
Additional variants
MV-AMA (AVibras Medium-Altitude Missile)
A Brazilian variant of CAMM under development since 2014 to meet the needs of the Brazilian Army's 'Strategic Anti-Aircraft Defence Program'.[15][14][13] The missile is expected to have a range of 40 kilometres (25 mi), up to an altitude of 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) and be compatible with the Astros 2020multiple rocket launcher and naval platforms.[15] The program is expected to have 70% sovereign Brazilian industrial contribution.[12]
Technologies derived from both CAMM and Brimstone are also being used in the development of the Land Precision Strike Missile for the British Army, an 80–150 kilometres (50–93 mi) ranged surface-to-surface missile designed to complement the GMLRS-ER for use against high-value and fleeting (moving) targets.[61][62][63] Marketing material shows that missile is also expected to be compatible with iLauncher among other potential launch platforms.[61][62]
In August 2023, it emerged that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had been supplied with a ground-based launcher for ASRAAM mounted on Supacat 6x6 HMTs to help provide short-ranged air defence for Ukrainian cities and land forces during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This system is not to be conflated with CAMM and is instead just the air-launched missile being fired from an improvised launcher.[27][64][65]
Operational history
United Kingdom
Royal Navy
Sea Ceptor entered operational service in May 2018, with HMS Argyll being the first Type 23 frigate to deploy with the system.[66][67] The Type 23 has de-risked the integration of Sea Ceptor by retaining a modified version of its existing 32-cell vertical launch system for Sea Wolf which is lengthened to accommodate the longer CAMM; this was opposed to MBDA's alternate proposal of introducing a new 12-cell ExLS complex for 48 quad-packed missiles.[28][54]
The Anti-Air-Warfare Officer of the Type 23 Frigate HMS Westminster said after test firings "Westminster managed to explore the real potential of the system during her training and to say it is a real game changer is an understatement. Unlike its predecessor [Sea Wolf], the system is capable of defending ships other than Westminster herself. Whether it's engaging multiple air threats or fast incoming attack craft, Sea Ceptor represents a massive capability upgrade for the Type 23 frigate."[32]
The Royal Navy's future Type 26 and Type 31 frigates (replacing the Type 23s) will be fitted with Sea Ceptor when they enter service in the late 2020s.[4][5] The Type 26 had previously been shown as having 2x24-cell mushroom farm launch complexes for CAMM located forward and amidships (four 6-cell modules each) for a total 48x Sea Ceptors; however, following a renovation of the Royal Navy's own website in mid 2023, the Type 26 is now described as being fitted with a 12-cell vertical launch system indicative of an ExLS outfit for the same number of missiles.[4][68][69] This arrangement has yet to be confirmed outside of the website. The Type 31 will likely have at least 32x missiles quad-packed into one its four Mark 41 eight-cell launch modules.[5]
In July 2021, MBDA announced that they had been contracted to integrate Sea Ceptor onto the Type 45 destroyers as part of a wider upgrade program which will be delivered for all six ships between 2026 and 2032.[6][33] 24x CAMM cells (four 6-cell modules) are expected to be mounted forward of the existing 48-cell Sylver complex in the space formerly allocated for a 16-cell Mark 41 complex and will fulfil the short-range air defence role currently performed by Aster 15 allowing for a total of 48x long-ranged Aster 30s to be carried in their place and bring a 50% increase in the ship's overall missile capacity.[33]
CAMM saw its first official combat use with the Royal Navy on the morning of 9 March 2024 when HMS Richmond destroyed two Houthi drones during the Red Sea crisis, although it is unclear how many missiles were used in the engagement.[70][71]
British Army
A Sky Sabre air defence missile system of the Royal Artillery. (from left to right: Giraffe radar, command vehicle, iLauncher)
In July 2021 it was reported that the British Army's Sky Sabre air defence system had started acceptance trials and training with the Royal Artillery.[citation needed] Sky Sabre systems consist of Land Ceptor missiles (CAMM) fired from MBDA's iLaunchers,[7] guided by SAAB Giraffe AMB radars (360° coverage / 120 kilometres (75 mi) range) and controlled by the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Modular Integrated C4I Air & Missile Defence System (MIC4AD),[72] all of which are mounted on MAN trucks.[73] Land Ceptor provides Sky Sabre and the British Army with over three times the range of the preceding Rapier system, with the radar capable of scanning an area of >120 kilometres (75 mi) whilst simultaneously being able to guide at least 24 missiles to 24 separate targets.[74][41][75] A Sky Sabre battery consists of two fire groups; each group has one radar and two or three launchers.[76]
It was initially planned that the first official deployment of the system to the Falkland Islands would occur "late summer/early autumn".[77][78] Land Ceptor was delivered to the British Army in December 2021, before being declared operational in January 2022.[79][80] During the same month, Sky Sabres first deployment was announced to the Falklands with a fire group replacing the existing Rapier missile deployment.[81]
In March 2022, the UK announced it would be deploying a Sky Sabre fire group to Poland to bolster NATO's Eastern flank following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine dubbed Operation STIFFTAIL.[82][76][83] On 13 March 2024, Minister of Defence Grant Shapps announced on social media that Operation STIFFTAIL would formally be extended.[84]
In 2023, reports emerged suggesting that investment had begun towards acquiring additional launchers, a new medium range radar, as well as the potential procurement of CAMM-ER for Sky Sabre.[76]
Poland
The Polish Armed Forces had begun modernisation efforts for its air-defence capability in the 2010s with the development of its domestic Pilica system for short-range air defence, and the procurement of Patriot (known as Wisła in Polish service) with PAC-3 MSE missiles for medium-range capabilities from 2017.[16][85] The gap between these two systems would be filled by the new Narew system which would make up the bulk of Polish air defence assets.[16]
The CAMM family was selected to equip Narew in November 2021 with the intention being to equip the system with CAMM-ER.[86][16] An urgent operational requirement and interim solution known as Mała Narew (small/little Narew) was created in 2022 and would be equipped with the already in-production CAMM variant whilst also marking the beginning of both a technology transfer from MBDA to PGZ and the development of a CAMM training program.[87][88][16]Mała Narew saw iLaunchers equipped with CAMM mounted onto Polish Jelcz vehicles, guided by SOŁA radar stations and integrated with a Polish command system.[88] On 4 October 2022, the first fully operational unit of Mała Narew was handed over to the soldiers of the 18th Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Zamość.[89][90] Mała Narew saw the first live-firing of CAMM in June 2023.[91]
In April 2023, Poland signed a £1.9 billion contract with MBDA to manufacture of a total of 22 Pilica+ air defence batteries, which at the time was the largest European short-range air defence acquisition programme in NATO. Pilica+ would see the existing SHORAD missile and gunnery components of Pilica combined with a similar launcher arrangement as Mała Narew with CAMM to expand Pilica into a triple-layer system.[92] MBDA's press release also confirmed that the CAMM family would equip the Polish Navy's Miecznik-class frigates, although there was at the time no mention as to which variant(s) (CAMM / CAMM-ER) would be integrated.[92][43]
In July 2023, the UK and Poland with MBDA and PGZ signed agreements that formally began the joint development of the CAMM-MR which would be known as the "Joint/Future Common Missile" with the intention that it would be used by both British and Polish platforms such as on the Miecznik-class frigates and possibly Wisła batteries.[60][17]
In November 2023, a more than £4 billion ($4.9 billion) contract was signed between MBDA and PGZ for the procurement of over 1,000 CAMM-ER missiles and over 100 iLaunchers to equip the forthcoming Narew batteries, in addition to further technology transfers agreements enabling licensed production of both the missiles and launchers within Poland.[93][94][95] It also confirmed that Narew would be integrated with the US's Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) as was already the case with Wisła.[94][16][95] This is the biggest export contract for MBDA as well as between Poland and the UK.[96]
on 14 December 2023, the PGZ-PILICA+ consortium signed a $139 million contract for the provision 44 iLaunchers and their parent Jelcz vehicles that will equip the 22 Pilica+ batteries (two launchers per battery).[97]
On 20 December 2023, Poland signed a $782.5 million deal with the PGZ-NAREW consortium for 24 mobile P-18PL long-range radars for use within both Narew and Wisła with the delivery of all systems expected to be complete by 2035.[98]
Reporting on developments with the Miecznik-class frigates, Naval News confirmed that both CAMM and CAMM-ER would equip the three ship class.[99]
On 29 February 2024, The Polish Armaments Agency announced a $2.53 billion agreement for the deliver and formal integration of IBCS into both the Narew and Wisła systems.[100]
Italy
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Gallery
MBDA's iLauncher -mountable/dismountable launching system
Operators
CAMM operators in blue, and future operators in dark grey.
Polish Armed Forces – The CAMM family was selected as part of Poland's Narew ground-based air defence system in November 2021.[86] In April 2022, Poland purchased CAMM as an interim solution known as Mała Narew (small/little Narew).[101][87][88] In April 2023, it was announced that CAMM would be integrated into the existing Pilica short-range system to create the triple-layer Pilica+ (22 batteries with two launchers each).[92][97] In November 2023, over a thousand CAMM-ER and over a hundred launchers were ordered for Narew.[93][95]
British Army – The Sky Sabre air defence system armed with CAMM began entering service with the Royal Artillery in January 2022 replacing Rapier. [80][102][78]
Royal New Zealand Navy – In 2013, Sea Ceptor was selected to replace the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow as part of a Anzac-class frigate system upgrade for HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana.[106] The eight-cell Mark 41 launcher has been replaced by a 20-cell mushroom farm (20 missiles).[46] The first live firing of Sea Ceptor occurred during HMNZS Te Mana's deployment between July and December 2023.[107]
Pakistan Navy – CAMM-ER was selected to equip its new Babur-class corvette in March 2021, although this was not officially disclosed until April.[108][39][109][110] Two 6-cell mushroom farm modules (12 missiles) are located just aft of the main gun.[111]
Brazilian Marine Corps – AV-MMA is a Brazilian localised version of the CAMM originally envisaged to equip all three service branches via a common cannister container, will equip the anti-aircraft version of the Astros II MLRS.[114]
Italian Army – CAMM-ER along with PCMI/X-TAR radar selected as Grifo (Griffin) to replace the Skyguard (Aspide).
Italian Air Force – CAMM-ER along with Kronos radar selected as MAADS (Medium Advanced Air Defence System) to replace the SPADA (Aspide missiles) batteries.
Swedish Navy – On 16 November 2023, the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) signed a contract with MBDA to supply Sea Ceptor for the five Visby-class corvettes, with installation beginning in 2025 with the first upgraded vessel expected in 2026.[122][123] Neither party disclosed contract value or the anticipated configuration of the system, however, the artist impression accompanying MBDA's press release appears to show intentions to fit a 9-cell ExLS complex forward of the flight deck for 36 missiles.[123][124][125][126]
Spanish Navy – In May 2016, CAMM-ER was selected to equip the future F110-class frigates. Later in 2018 the missile lost against Raytheon's ESSM Block II.[132][133]
^Janes (28 January 2022), "EMADS (CAMM; CAMM-ER)", Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 26 September 2022
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