The Sylver (SYstème de Lancement VERtical) is a vertical launching system (VLS) designed by DCNS and introduced in 2001. [1]
The basic unit of Sylver VLS is an eight-cell module fitted with two rows of 56 cm. missile cells surrounding the uptake for exhaust gas, and the specifications for different models are as follows:
Model # | Length | Width | Max missile length | Weight |
A-35 | 3.5 metre | 2.3 metre | 3.5 metre | 7 ton |
A-43 | 4.3 metre | 2.3 metre | 4.3 metre | 7.5 ton |
A-50 | 5.0 metre | 2.3 metre | 5.0 metre | 8 ton |
A-70 | 7.0 metre | 2.3 metre | 7.0 metre | 12 ton |
The launcher comes in several variants, each distinguished by their height. A-35 and A-43 were developed for launching short range surface-to-air missiles, the A-50 for the long-range PAAMS air defense system, and the A-70 launcher for longer missiles such as the SCALP naval land attack cruise missile. The numbers refer to the approximate length of the missile which can be accommodated, in decimetres, i.e. the A-43 can hold missiles which are up to 4.3 metres (14 ft 1 in) long whilst the A-70 can accommodate missiles up to 7 metres (23 ft 0 in) long.
The launchers come in eight-cell modules, except A-35 available in four-cell modules, with each eight-cell module occupying six square metres (65 sq ft) of deck space. Inner size cell is 60 centimetres (24 in) long and 56 cm (22 in) wide, and each cell has its own exhaust vent. Crotale NG (VT1) missiles can be quad-packed in one cell.
The primary application of the launcher has been the Aster. The Sylver, together with the Aster, is the primary component of the PAAMS naval anti-air warfare system. Using PAAMS, up to eight missiles can be launched in 10 seconds.
France has initiated studies to develop a sea-based deep strike cruise missile capable of being launched from the Sylver. Called the MdCN, the missile would give French Navy a land-attack capability in the mould of the U.S. Tomahawk.
A-35 | Mica VL | Crotale VT1 | - | - | - |
A-43 | Mica VL | Crotale VT1 | Aster 15 | - | - |
A-50 | Mica VL | Crotale VT1 | Aster 15 | Aster 30 | - |
A-70 | - | - | Aster 15 | Aster 30 | MdCN |
A-35 | A-43 |
A-50 |
A-70
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Kalaat Béni Abbès class | 1 x Multipurpose amphibious ship | 2x |
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FREMM class | 3 x Multi-mission frigate | 2x (former French unit) |
2x (2 former Italian units) |
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Charles de Gaulle | 1 x Nuclear aircraft carrier | 4x |
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FREMM class | 6 x Multi-mission frigate (ASW variant) | 2x (on 4 units) |
2x (on 2 units) |
2x (all 6 units)
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FREMM class | 2 x Multi-mission frigate (AAW variant) | 4x |
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Horizon class | 2 x Anti-air warfare destroyer | 6x |
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Horizon class | 2 x Anti-air warfare destroyer | 6x |
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Cavour | 1 x Light aircraft carrier | 4x |
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FREMM class | 10 x Multi-mission frigate | 2x |
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Paolo Thaon di Revel class | 5 x Multi-mission frigate | 2x |
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Formidable class | 6 x Multi-mission frigate | 4x |
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FREMM class | 1 x Multi-mission frigate | 2x |
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Type 45 | 6 x Anti-air warfare destroyer | 6x |
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Al Riyadh class | 3 x Multi-mission frigate | 4x |
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Doha class | 4 x Multi-mission corvette | 2x |
The Sylver (SYstème de Lancement VERtical) is a vertical launching system (VLS) designed by DCNS and introduced in 2001. [1]
The basic unit of Sylver VLS is an eight-cell module fitted with two rows of 56 cm. missile cells surrounding the uptake for exhaust gas, and the specifications for different models are as follows:
Model # | Length | Width | Max missile length | Weight |
A-35 | 3.5 metre | 2.3 metre | 3.5 metre | 7 ton |
A-43 | 4.3 metre | 2.3 metre | 4.3 metre | 7.5 ton |
A-50 | 5.0 metre | 2.3 metre | 5.0 metre | 8 ton |
A-70 | 7.0 metre | 2.3 metre | 7.0 metre | 12 ton |
The launcher comes in several variants, each distinguished by their height. A-35 and A-43 were developed for launching short range surface-to-air missiles, the A-50 for the long-range PAAMS air defense system, and the A-70 launcher for longer missiles such as the SCALP naval land attack cruise missile. The numbers refer to the approximate length of the missile which can be accommodated, in decimetres, i.e. the A-43 can hold missiles which are up to 4.3 metres (14 ft 1 in) long whilst the A-70 can accommodate missiles up to 7 metres (23 ft 0 in) long.
The launchers come in eight-cell modules, except A-35 available in four-cell modules, with each eight-cell module occupying six square metres (65 sq ft) of deck space. Inner size cell is 60 centimetres (24 in) long and 56 cm (22 in) wide, and each cell has its own exhaust vent. Crotale NG (VT1) missiles can be quad-packed in one cell.
The primary application of the launcher has been the Aster. The Sylver, together with the Aster, is the primary component of the PAAMS naval anti-air warfare system. Using PAAMS, up to eight missiles can be launched in 10 seconds.
France has initiated studies to develop a sea-based deep strike cruise missile capable of being launched from the Sylver. Called the MdCN, the missile would give French Navy a land-attack capability in the mould of the U.S. Tomahawk.
A-35 | Mica VL | Crotale VT1 | - | - | - |
A-43 | Mica VL | Crotale VT1 | Aster 15 | - | - |
A-50 | Mica VL | Crotale VT1 | Aster 15 | Aster 30 | - |
A-70 | - | - | Aster 15 | Aster 30 | MdCN |
A-35 | A-43 |
A-50 |
A-70
| |||
![]() |
Kalaat Béni Abbès class | 1 x Multipurpose amphibious ship | 2x |
|||
![]() |
FREMM class | 3 x Multi-mission frigate | 2x (former French unit) |
2x (2 former Italian units) |
||
![]() |
Charles de Gaulle | 1 x Nuclear aircraft carrier | 4x |
|||
![]() |
FREMM class | 6 x Multi-mission frigate (ASW variant) | 2x (on 4 units) |
2x (on 2 units) |
2x (all 6 units)
| |
![]() |
FREMM class | 2 x Multi-mission frigate (AAW variant) | 4x |
|||
![]() |
Horizon class | 2 x Anti-air warfare destroyer | 6x |
|||
![]() |
Horizon class | 2 x Anti-air warfare destroyer | 6x |
|||
![]() |
Cavour | 1 x Light aircraft carrier | 4x |
|||
![]() |
FREMM class | 10 x Multi-mission frigate | 2x |
|||
![]() |
Paolo Thaon di Revel class | 5 x Multi-mission frigate | 2x |
|||
![]() |
Formidable class | 6 x Multi-mission frigate | 4x |
|||
![]() |
FREMM class | 1 x Multi-mission frigate | 2x |
|||
![]() |
Type 45 | 6 x Anti-air warfare destroyer | 6x |
|||
![]() |
Al Riyadh class | 3 x Multi-mission frigate | 4x |
|||
![]() |
Doha class | 4 x Multi-mission corvette | 2x |