View source for Sylver vertical launching system

{{Short description|Vertical launching system designed by DCNS for warships}}
[[Image:FS CDG aster.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Aster (missile family)|Aster 15]] Sylver launchers on the aircraft carrier {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle||2}}]]

The '''Sylver''' ('''sy'''stème de '''l'''ancement '''ver'''tical) is a [[vertical launching system]] (VLS) designed by [[DCNS (company)|DCNS]] and introduced in 2001.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sylver |url=https://www.deagel.com/Cannons%20&%20Gear/Sylver/a001421 |website=Deagel.com |publisher=Deagel |access-date=9 January 2022}}</ref>

==History==
===Development===
[[Naval Group|DCNS]] began developing a [[vertical launching system]] in the early 1980s,<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.dcnsgroup.com/files/pdf/Sylver.pdf |title=Sylver Multi-Missile Vertical Launcher }}</ref> following the [[Falklands War]], which demonstrated the importance for large surface combatants of maintaining a 360° air-defense bubble against [[anti-ship missiles]].<ref name=":2">{{cite web|access-date=2025-10-15 |date=2019-07-31 |language=fr-FR |title=Ruelle-sur-Touvre (16) : the Sylver, Naval Group's Launching Spearhead |url=https://www.sudouest.fr/charente/angouleme/ruelle-sur-touvre-16-le-sylver-fer-de-lance-de-naval-group-2526618.php |website=SudOuest.fr}}<!-- auto-translated from French by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>

The Sylver family of vertical launchers was developed to meet the requirements of major European naval armament programs:<ref name=":0" />
*Sylver A43 was developed for the SAAM (Surface-to-Air Anti-Missile) system, using the [[Aster 15]] missile, as part of the broader Franco–Italian FSAF program launched in 1999.
*Sylver A50 was developed under the [[PAAMS]] program, adapting the [[Aster 30]] missile from the FSAF program for shipboard use.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|access-date=2025-10-15 |date=2023-04-03 |language=fr-FR |title=Ballistic Missile Defense: Military Shieldor Strategic Challenge ? |url=https://www.senat.fr/rap/r10-733/r10-733.html |website=Sénat}}<!-- auto-translated from French by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
*Sylver A70 was designed for use with the [[FREMM]] frigates and the [[MdCN]] (Missile de Croisière Naval) cruise missile. It was also considered for launching the Exoguard exo-atmospheric interceptor missile, developed by [[Astrium]] for [[ballistic missile defense]].<ref name=":1" />
*Sylver A35 was a smaller launcher envisioned in the early 2000s for the [[MICA (missile)|VL Mica]] missile, but development was not completed due to budget constraints.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|access-date=2025-10-15 |archive-date=2024-07-16 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240716061345/https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/marine-nationale-quelles-solutions-pour-ameliorer-l-autodefense-des-batiments-de-surface |author=Vincent Groizeleau |language=fr |title=Marine nationale : quelles solutions pour améliorer l'autodéfense des bâtiments de surface ? |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/marine-nationale-quelles-solutions-pour-ameliorer-l-autodefense-des-batiments-de-surface |website=Mer et Marine}}<!-- auto-translated from French by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> Nevertheless, test firings were conducted in December 2007, and continued in October 2008 with a [[Crotale NG]] missile.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=12 October 2025 |author=Damien Mezinis |date=27 October 2008 |language=fr |title=Thales : premier tir d'un missile VT1 en configuration lancement vertical |url=https://www.boursier.com/actions/actualites/news/thales-premier-tir-d-un-missile-vt1-en-configuration-lancement-vertical-305367.html |website=www.boursier.com}}<!-- auto-translated from French by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
*A larger Sylver variant is reportedly under consideration for the [[Stratus (missile family)|FMAN/FMC]] and Aquila programs, intended to replace the [[Aster (missile family)|Aster]] missile family in the future.
The first Sylver system was delivered in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|title=PAAMS anti-aircraft missile system |url=https://en.missilery.info/missile/paams |website=en.missilery.info/}}<!-- auto-translated from French by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>

===Production===
Sylver launch systems are assembled by [[Naval Group]] at the [[Ruelle Foundry]] in [[Ruelle-sur-Touvre]], where approximately 60% of each launcher is manufactured. Production requires advanced [[welding|welding skills]] due to the high structural demands placed on the system, and components are [[Radiography|radiographically]] inspected to verify their characteristics.

In response to increasing demand, Naval Group reduced production time from 36 months to 24 months after order placement starting in 2019.<ref name=":2" />

==Specifications==
[[File:Sylver Launching System - Types of Missiles.gif|thumb|Comparison graphics]]
The basic unit of Sylver VLS is an eight-cell module fitted with two rows of 56&nbsp;cm missile cells surrounding the uptake for exhaust gas, and the specifications for different models are as follows:

<div align="center">
{| class="wikitable"
|+  Vertical Missile Launcher Sylver
| '''Model #''' || '''Height''' || '''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
|} 
</div>

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 missile]]s, the A-50 for the long-range [[PAAMS]] air defense system, and the A-70 launcher for longer missiles such as the [[MdCN (missile)|MdCN]] 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 {{convert|4.3|m|ftin}} long whilst the A-70 can accommodate missiles up to {{convert|7|m|ftin}} long.

The launchers come in eight-cell modules, except A-35 available in four-cell modules, with each eight-cell module occupying {{convert|6|m2|spell=in}} of deck space. Inner size cell is {{convert|60|cm}} long and {{cvt|56|cm}} wide, and each cell has its own exhaust vent. [[Crotale missile|Crotale NG (VT1)]] missiles can be quad-packed in one cell.

The primary application of the launcher has been the [[Aster (missile family)|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 developed a sea-based deep strike cruise missile capable of being launched from the Sylver. Called the [[MdCN (missile)|MdCN]], the missile gives the French Navy a [[land-attack missile|land-attack]] capability in the mould of the [[United States|U.S.]] [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk]].
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 97%;"
|+Vertical Missile Launcher Sylver<ref>{{cite web |title=Sylver Multi-Missile Vertical Launcher |url=http://www.dcnsgroup.com/files/pdf/Sylver.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081114195052/http://www.dcnsgroup.com/files/pdf/Sylver.pdf |archive-date=2008-11-14 |access-date=2008-11-01 |publisher=DCNS Group}}</ref>
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
! style="text-align: left" | Variant
! style="text-align: left" | [[Crotale (missile)|Crotale VT1]]
! style="text-align: left" | [[MICA (missile)|VL Mica]]
! style="text-align: left" | [[MICA (missile)|VL Mica NG]]
! style="text-align: left" | [[CAMM (missile family)|CAMM]]
! style="text-align: left" | [[CAMM (missile family)|CAMM-ER]]
! style="text-align: left" | [[MBDA Aster|Aster 15]]
! style="text-align: left" | [[Aster (missile family)|Aster 30]]
! style="text-align: left" | [[MdCN (missile)|MdCN]]
! style="text-align: left" | [[Stratus (missile family)|Stratus RS]]
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
! style="text-align: left" | A35 
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| –
| –
| –
| –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
! style="text-align: left" | A43
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| –
| –
| –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
! style="text-align: left" | A50
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| 3 × / cell
| 3 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| –
| –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
! style="text-align: left" | A70
| –
| –
| –
| –
| –
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
| 1 × / cell
|}

==Operators==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; font-size: 97%;"
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
! rowspan="2" style="text-align: left" | User
! rowspan="2" style="text-align: left" | Ship class / ships
! rowspan="2" style="text-align: left" | Ship role
! rowspan="2" style="text-align: left" | Quantity of ships in service
! colspan="4"| Quantity of VLS of each type per ship
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
! A-35
! A-43
! A-50
! A-70
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
! colspan="8" | Current ships
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| {{navy|ALG}} 
| [[San Giorgio-class amphibious assault ship|''Kalaat Béni Abbès'']] <br><small>(''San Giorgio'' class)</small>
| [[Amphibious assault ship|Multipurpose amphibious ship]]
| style="text-align: center" | '''1'''
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| rowspan="2" | {{navy|EGY}} 
| {{sclass |Aquitaine|frigate| 4}} <br><small>(''FREMM'' class)</small>
| [[Frigate|Frigate (multimission)]]
| style="text-align: center" | '''1'''<br><small>(former French unit)</small>
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| {{sclass |Bergamini|frigate| 4}} <br><small>(''FREMM'' class)</small>
| [[Frigate|Frigate (multimission)]]
| style="text-align: center" | '''2'''<br><small>(former Italian units)</small>
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| rowspan="5" | {{navy|FRA}} 
| {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle||2}} 
| 1 x Nuclear aircraft carrier 
| style="text-align: center" | '''1'''
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 4 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| {{sclass |Aquitaine|frigate| 4}} <br><small>(''FREMM'' class)</small>
| [[Frigate|Frigate (ASW)]]
| style="text-align: center" | '''4'''
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" |2 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 2 × 8
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|{{sclass |Aquitaine|frigate| 4}} <br><small>(''FREMM'' class)</small>
|[[Frigate|Frigate (ASW)]]
| style="text-align: center;" |'''2'''
| style="text-align: center;" |–
| style="text-align: center;" |–
| style="text-align: center;" |2 × 8
| style="text-align: center;" |2 × 8
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| {{sclass |Aquitaine|frigate| 4}} <br><small>(''FREMM'' class)</small>
| [[Frigate|Frigate (AAW)]] 
| style="text-align: center" | '''2'''
| style="text-align: center" |–
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" |4 × 8
| style="text-align: center" |–
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| {{sclass |Horizon|destroyer| 4}}
|  [[Destroyer|Destroyer (AAW)]]
| style="text-align: center" | '''2'''
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 6 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|{{navy|Greece}}
|{{sclass |Kimon|frigate| 4}}<br><small>(''FDI'' class)</small>
|[[Frigate|Frigate (multimission)]]
| style="text-align: center;" | '''4'''
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | 4 × 8
| style="text-align: center;" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|{{navy|Indonesia}}
|{{Sclass|Paolo Thaon di Revel|offshore patrol vessel|4}}
|[[Frigate|Frigate (multi-mission)]]
| style="text-align: center;" | '''2'''
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center;" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| rowspan="5" |{{navy|ITA}}
| {{sclass |Bergamini|frigate| 4}} <br><small>(''FREMM'' class)</small>
| [[Frigate|Frigate (multi-mission)]]
| style="text-align: center" | '''10'''
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| {{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Cavour||2}}
| [[Aircraft carrier|Light aircraft carrier]]
| style="text-align: center" | '''1'''
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 4 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|{{ship|Italian landing helicopter dock|Trieste||2}}
|[[Landing helicopter dock]]
| style="text-align: center;" |'''1'''
| style="text-align: center;" |–
| style="text-align: center;" |–
| style="text-align: center;" |2 × 8
| style="text-align: center;" |–
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| {{sclass |Horizon|destroyer| 4}}
| [[Destroyer|Destroyer (AAW)]]
| style="text-align: center" | '''2'''
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | – 
| style="text-align: center" | 6 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| {{Sclass|Paolo Thaon di Revel|offshore patrol vessel|4}}
| [[Frigate|Frigate (multi-mission)]]
| style="text-align: center" | '''5'''
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| rowspan="2" | {{navy|QAT}}  
| [[Al Zubarah-class corvette|''Al Zubarah''-class]]
| [[Frigate|Corvette (multi-mission)]]
| style="text-align: center" | '''4'''
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| [[San Giorgio-class amphibious assault ship|''Al Fulk'']]<br><small>(''San Giorgio'' class)</small> 
|  [[Amphibious transport dock]] 
| style="text-align: center" | '''1'''
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| {{navy|SGP}}
| {{sclass|Formidable|frigate|4}}<br><small>(''La Fayette'' class)</small>
| [[Frigate|Frigate (multi-mission)]]
| style="text-align: center" | '''6'''
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 2 × 8 
| style="text-align: center" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| {{navy|MAR}} 
| {{ship|Moroccan frigate|Mohammed VI
||2}} <br><small>(''FREMM'' class)</small>
| [[Frigate|Frigate (multi-mission)]]
| style="text-align: center" | '''1'''
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| {{navy|UK}} 
| [[Type 45 destroyer|Type 45]]
| [[Destroyer|Destroyer (AAW)]]
| style="text-align: center" | '''6'''
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 6 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| {{navy|KSA}}  
| {{sclass|Al Riyadh|frigate|4}}<br><small>(''La Fayette'' class)</small>
| [[Frigate|Frigate (multi-mission)]]
| style="text-align: center" | '''3'''
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center" | –
| style="text-align: center" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
! colspan="8" | Future ships
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| rowspan="3" |{{navy|FRA}}
|[[Frégates de taille intermédiaire|''Amiral Ronarc’h'' class]] <br><small>(''FDI'' class - units 1/2/3)<ref name=":4">{{cite web |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |date=3 November 2025 |title=La Marine nationale ne devrait pas réceptionner sa troisième FDI avant 2029 |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/la-marine-nationale-ne-devrait-pas-receptionner-sa-troisieme-fdi-avant-2029 |access-date=3 November 2025 |work=Mer et Marine |language=fr}}</ref></small>
|[[Frigate]]
| style="text-align: center;" | '''3'''
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center;" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|[[Frégates de taille intermédiaire|''Amiral Ronarc’h'' class]] <br><small>(''FDI'' class - units 4/5)<ref name=":4" /></small>
|[[Frigate]]
| style="text-align: center;" | '''2'''
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | 4 × 8
| style="text-align: center;" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|''[[Future French aircraft carrier|PANG]]''
|[[Frigate|Frigate (multi-mission)]]
| style="text-align: center;" | '''1'''
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | <small>Unknown<br>quantity</small>
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| rowspan="4" |{{navy|ITA}}
|{{sclass |Bergamini|frigate| 4}} <br><small>(''FREMM-EVO'' class)</small>
|[[Frigate|Frigate (multi-mission)]]
| style="text-align: center;" | '''2'''
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center;" | 2 × 8
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|''DDX'' class
|[[Destroyer]]
| style="text-align: center;" | '''2'''
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | 6 × 8
| style="text-align: center;" | 4 × 8
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|{{Sclass|Paolo Thaon di Revel|offshore patrol vessel|4}}<br><small>(''PPA'' class)</small>
|[[Frigate|Frigate (multi-mission)]]
| style="text-align: center;" | '''2'''
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center;" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|[[European Patrol Corvette|''MMPC'' class]]
|[[Corvette]] <br><small>(Modular and Multirole Patrol Corvette)</small>
| style="text-align: center;" | '''8'''
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | 1 × 8
| style="text-align: center;" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|{{navy|Malaysia}}
|{{sclass|Maharaja Lela|frigate|1}}s
|[[Frigate]] / (littoral combat ship)
| style="text-align: center;" | '''5'''
| style="text-align: center;" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | –
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|{{navy|SGP}}
|{{sclass|Victory|multi-role combat vessel|4}}<br><small>(''La Fayette'' class)</small>
|Multi-role combat vessel <br><small>(~frigate)</small>
| style="text-align: center;" | '''6'''
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" | 2 × 8
| style="text-align: center;" | –
|}

==See also==
* [[GJB 5860-2006]] - A vertical launching system of [[People's Liberation Army Navy]].
* [[Korean Vertical Launching System|K-VLS]] - A vertical launching system of [[Republic of Korea Navy]].
* [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System]] - A vertical launching system of [[United States Navy]].
* [[Redut Vertical Launching System|Poliment-Redut]] - A vertical launching system of [[Russian Navy]], navalized version of [[S-350 missile system|S-350]].
* [[3S-14]] - A vertical launching system of [[Russian Navy]] for [[cruise missile|cruise]], [[anti-ship missile|anti-ship]] and [[anti-submarine missile|anti-submarine]] missiles.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071029233542/http://www.dcns.fr/us/offre/equipements/sylver.html Official DCNS website]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=4S3h8j_NEmkC&dq=crotale+vt-1&pg=PA573 Naval Institute Guide] re: quad-packing Crotale VT-1s.

[[Category:French Navy technology]]
[[Category:Ship-based missile launchers]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s]]
[[Category:Vertical launch systems]]