Sylver vertical launching system

History

Development

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

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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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. Nevertheless, test firings were conducted in December 2007, and continued in October 2008 with a Crotale NG missile.
• 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.

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.

Specifications

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:

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 m long whilst the A-70 can accommodate missiles up to 7 m long.

The launchers come in eight-cell modules, except A-35 available in four-cell modules, with each eight-cell module occupying 6 m2 of deck space. Inner size cell is 60 cm long and 56 cm 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.

Operators

References

References

1. "Sylver". Deagel.
2. "Sylver Multi-Missile Vertical Launcher".
3. (2019-07-31). "Ruelle-sur-Touvre (16) : the Sylver, Naval Group's Launching Spearhead".
4. (2023-04-03). "Ballistic Missile Defense: Military Shieldor Strategic Challenge ?".
5. Vincent Groizeleau. "Marine nationale : quelles solutions pour améliorer l'autodéfense des bâtiments de surface ?".
6. Damien Mezinis. (27 October 2008). "Thales : premier tir d'un missile VT1 en configuration lancement vertical".
7. "PAAMS anti-aircraft missile system".
8. "Sylver Multi-Missile Vertical Launcher". DCNS Group.
9. Groizeleau, Vincent. (3 November 2025). "La Marine nationale ne devrait pas réceptionner sa troisième FDI avant 2029". Mer et Marine.