By admin 
In a landmark advancement for European air defence, MBDA successfully tested the Aster B1 NT (New Technology) missile on October 8, 2024, at France’s Biscarrosse DGA Missiles Test Range. The test, conducted by the French General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) in a complex air defence scenario, demonstrated Aster B1 NT’s remarkable ability to distinguish and eliminate enemy threats with precision. The successful firing was attended by Sébastien Lecornu, French Minister of Armed Forces and Veteran Affairs, and representatives from France, Italy, and the UK, all part of the Principal Anti Air Missile Systems (PAAMS) cooperative program.
Aster B1 NT represents a significant evolution within MBDA’s combat-proven Aster family of missiles, which have been critical in addressing high-end threats like UAVs and ballistic missiles in complex operational theaters. Building on over 2,000 Aster units delivered and more than 250 successful firings, this new variant integrates unique Ka-band seeker technology and advanced electronics, enhancing its ability to counter maneuverable and hypersonic threats. Its unmatched aerodynamic maneuverability and thrust vector control make Aster B1 NT Europe’s only missile capable of facing a wide range of advanced threats, from aerial to hypersonic.
The missile’s development also marks a cornerstone in the SAMP/T NG ground-based air defence system, a Franco-Italian collaboration with EUROSAM that will serve the armed forces of Italy and France and eventually integrate with UK naval systems. Designed to provide comprehensive protection, SAMP/T NG incorporates multi-layered capabilities against the entire threat spectrum, including drones, anti-ballistic missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles, making it Europe’s only system capable of fully integrated air defence within NATO’s operational framework.
The Aster B1 NT’s spiral development promises to support European air defence well beyond 2060, with enhanced resilience for next-generation threats. The Aster family’s integration into both ground and naval systems establishes it as a future-proofed backbone for European security and defense, ensuring interoperability and readiness against increasingly sophisticated adversaries.
Edited: Katerina Urbanová
Image Credit: Image courtesy of DGA/MBDA