SEA VIPER Missile System

Full Specifications

SEA VIPER Naval Air Defense Missile System

Sea Viper is the United Kingdom’s principal naval air and missile defense system, designed to protect frontline warships from modern aerial threats. Deployed on Royal Navy Type 45 Daring class destroyers, Sea Viper provides layered defense against combat aircraft, cruise missiles, and increasingly complex threats such as supersonic sea-skimming weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles. The system is optimized for fleet air defense and area protection in high threat maritime environments.

Manufacturer

Sea Viper is developed and integrated by MBDA UK in partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence. It uses the Aster family of surface-to-air missiles, produced by MBDA, with radar and combat management integration led by BAE Systems. The system is a core element of the UK’s naval integrated air and missile defense architecture.

Speed and Range

Sea Viper employs the Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles. Aster 15 provides short to medium range defense out to approximately 30 km, while Aster 30 extends engagement ranges beyond 120 km. Both missiles can reach speeds in excess of Mach 4.5, allowing rapid interception of fast and maneuvering targets. The system is paired with the SAMPSON multi-function AESA radar, enabling simultaneous tracking and engagement of multiple targets at long range.

Cost / Price

Exact unit costs for Sea Viper are not publicly disclosed. Open-source defense estimates suggest the Aster 30 missile costs between USD 2 and 3 million per interceptor, depending on configuration and production batch. System-level costs vary based on ship integration, radar upgrades, and software enhancements.

Sea Viper is operational, combat-ready, and considered a cornerstone of UK naval air defense, with planned upgrades to improve ballistic missile defense capability.