SEEK AND DESTROY

The Aster-30 Missile System is designed to take out both aircraft and missiles to guard an area against aerial threats - like a protective umbrella. Think goalkeeper, on an epic, 3D scale.

Capable of taking out fighter aircraft from 70km away, the Aster-30 Surface-to-Air Missile System is not something you would want locked onto you.

It is designed to swat multiple targets out of the skies within its effective area. And the missiles can travel at speeds of up to 4.5 times the speed of sound.

Operated by armed forces over the world such as France and Italy, the Aster family of missile systems is manufactured by a European consortium led by French-based MBDA Missile Systems.

The Aster-30 will replace the ageing I-Hawk system which has been in service for over 30 years. It will complement the other cutting-edge air defence platforms such as the Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby (SPYDER) system to form a multi-layered Island Air Defence System.

Announcing the acquisition in September last year, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen said: "The Aster-30's capabilities are many times more potent than our current I-Hawk ground-based air defence system.

"The Aster will allow us to engage multiple threats simultaneously and from a longer distance."

Bigger bite

It can be loaded with eight missiles at a time and can engage multiple targets at the same time.

All-weather

This next-generation medium-range surface-to-air missile system can be operated in all weather conditions.

Networked prowess

The Aster-30 is designed for network integration, which allows it to tap on the real-time integrated air situation picture created by the Republic of Singapore Air Force s array of sensors.

Anti-aircraft, anti-missile

It can engage a wide range of targets such as fighter aircraft, helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and precision-guided munitions.

High accuracy
Each missile has on-board radio transceivers and electronics to guide it towards the intended target.

Long range
Each missile has a range of up to 70km against fighter aircraft, which allows it to take the best route towards its target in the effective intercept area.

Two-stage design
The missiles are designed to jettison the booster component once the fuel is depleted. This design means that the rocket is able to accelerate quickly without having to carry spent components.