MBDA on contract to study Aster 30 missile integration in MK 41 VLS

The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence awarded MBDA a £1.86 million contract to study whether the Aster 30 surface-to-air missile can be integrated with Lockheed Martin’s MK 41 vertical launch system. The single-source study runs for 10 months, through the end of August 2027, and will inform future choices about naval air defence and launcher standardisation. The Royal Navy currently fields Aster 30 through Sea Viper aboard Type 45 destroyers, which use Naval Group’s SYLVER launch system. The award funds a feasibility assessment ahead of any decision to integrate or qualify the missile on MK 41.