The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed its intention to commission MBDA UK Limited to study the compatibility of the Aster missile family with the US-manufactured Mk41 Vertical Launching System, under a one-year contract valued at £2 million. The outcome of the work could expand future missile integration options for Royal Navy warships and enhance interoperability with NATO partners.
British government notices indicate that the MoD plans to award MBDA UK a sole-supplier contract to deliver a detailed technical report assessing whether Aster missiles can be launched from the Mk41 VLS. The proposed £2 million agreement would run for 12 months and is expected to be let under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023, with officials citing the proprietary nature of the missile and launcher technologies as the basis for limiting competition.
The study aligns with a wider Royal Navy effort to standardize vertical launch architectures across its surface combatant fleet. The Mk41 VLS, developed by Lockheed Martin, has become the dominant vertical launcher within NATO navies due to its modular design and broad missile compatibility. Comprising eight-cell modules installed below deck, the system allows a single launcher to host a wide range of weapons, including air-defence interceptors, land-attack missiles, and anti-submarine rockets, providing substantial flexibility in force planning and ship upgrades.
Within the Royal Navy, the Mk41 VLS is being fielded on the new Type 26 City-class frigates, which are intended to serve as the UK’s principal anti-submarine warfare platforms for decades. Each ship will be equipped with 24 Mk41 cells located forward, offering a significant growth margin for future weapons in addition to the Sea Ceptor air defence system. Naval planners see this launcher capacity as essential for keeping the class relevant as threat environments evolve.
The Aster missile family represents the Royal Navy’s top-tier naval air defence capability. Developed by MBDA as part of a multinational European programme, Aster missiles combine an active radar seeker with the PIF-PAF control concept, enabling extremely high manoeuvrability in the terminal phase of flight. This design allows Aster to counter demanding threats such as supersonic anti-ship missiles and highly agile aircraft. The Aster 15 is optimized for shorter-range engagements, while the Aster 30 provides long-range area defence with engagement envelopes extending beyond 100 km.
Currently, Aster missiles in Royal Navy service are launched from the Sylver VLS fitted to Type 45 Daring-class destroyers. These ships were designed around the Aster 30 and the Sampson radar, creating one of the most capable naval air defence systems in service. However, Sylver is a dedicated launcher tailored to the Aster family and does not offer the same level of multi-missile flexibility as the Mk41 VLS, a factor that has become increasingly important as allied fleets converge on common launcher solutions.
