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''' (système de lancement vertical) 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>

==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 #''' || '''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
|} 
</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]].

<div align="center">
{| class="wikitable"
|+  Vertical Missile Launcher Sylver<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dcnsgroup.com/files/pdf/Sylver.pdf |title=Sylver Multi-Missile Vertical Launcher |publisher=DCNS Group |access-date=2008-11-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081114195052/http://www.dcnsgroup.com/files/pdf/Sylver.pdf |archive-date=2008-11-14 }}</ref>
| '''A-35''' || [[MICA (missile)|Mica VL]] || [[Crotale (missile)|Crotale VT1]] || - || - || -
|-
| '''A-43''' || Mica VL || Crotale VT1 || [[MBDA Aster|Aster 15]] || -  || -
|-
| '''A-50''' || Mica VL || Crotale VT1 || Aster 15 || [[Aster (missile family)|Aster 30]] || -
|-
| '''A-70 '''|| - || - || Aster 15 || Aster 30 || [[MdCN (missile)|MdCN]]
|} 
</div>

==Usage==
{| class="wikitable"
|+  Vertical Missile Launcher Sylver Modules installed
| ||  ||  || A-35 || {{center|A-43}}  || {{center|A-50}}  || {{center|A-70}} 
|-
| {{navy|ALG}} || [[San Giorgio-class amphibious assault ship|''Kalaat Béni Abbès'']] ||  1 x Multipurpose amphibious ship ||  || ||  {{center|2x}}  ||  
|-
| {{navy|EGY}} || [[FREMM multipurpose frigate|FREMM class]] || 3 x Multi-mission frigate ||  || {{center|1x}} (former French unit)|| {{center|2x}} (2 former Italian units)||  
|-
| rowspan="5" | {{navy|FRA}} || {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle||2}} || 1 x Nuclear aircraft carrier ||  || {{center|4x}} ||  || 
|-
| FREMM class || 6 x Multi-mission frigate (ASW variant) ||  || {{center|2x (on 4 units)}}  || {{center|2x (on 2 units)}} || {{center|2x (all 6 units)}} 
|-
| FREMM class || 2 x Multi-mission frigate (AAW variant) ||  || || {{center|4x}}  || 
|-
| {{sclass2|Horizon|frigate|4}} ||  2 x Anti-air warfare destroyer ||  || ||  {{center|6x}}  || 
|-
| [[Frégates de taille intermédiaire|Amiral Ronarc’h class]] ||  5 x Anti-air warfare/ASW destroyer (under construction; service entry starting 2025) ||  || ||  {{center|2x}}  ||  
|-
| rowspan="4" | {{navy|ITA}} || Horizon class ||  2 x Anti-air warfare destroyer ||  || ||  {{center|6x}}  ||  
|-
| {{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Cavour||2}} || 1 x Light aircraft carrier ||  || {{center|4x}} ||  ||  
|-
| FREMM class || 10 x Multi-mission frigate ||  ||  ||  | {{center|2x}} ||   
|-
| {{Sclass|Paolo Thaon di Revel|offshore patrol vessel|4}} || 5 x Multi-mission frigate ||  ||  ||  | {{center|2x}} ||   
|-
| {{navy|SGP}}  || {{sclass|Formidable|frigate|4}} || 6 x Multi-mission frigate ||  ||  || {{center|4x}} ||
|-
| {{navy|MAR}} || FREMM class || 1 x Multi-mission frigate ||  || {{center|2x}} || ||  
|-
| {{navy|UK}}  || [[Type 45 destroyer|Type 45]] || 6 x Anti-air warfare destroyer ||  ||  || {{center|6x}} || 
|-
| {{navy|KSA}}  || [[La Fayette-class frigate#Al Riyadh class: Saudi Arabia|''Al Riyadh'' class]] || 3 x Multi-mission frigate ||  ||  ||  {{center|4x}} ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{navy|QAT}}  || [[Doha-class corvette|Doha class]] || 4 x Multi-mission corvette ||  ||  ||  {{center|2x}} ||
|-
| [[San Giorgio-class amphibious assault ship|''Al Fulk'']] ||  1 x Multipurpose amphibious ship ||  || ||  {{center|2x}}  ||
|}

==Future users==
{{ITA}}
* 2 x 8 Sylver VLS A50 will be used on [[Italian Navy]] ''FREMM EVO'' class, two planned in 2023 for commissioning begin 2029
* 6 x 8 Sylver VLS A50 and 4 x 8 Sylver VLS A70 will be used on [[Italian Navy]] ''DDX'' class, two financed since 2021 for commissioning begin 2029
* 2 x 8 Sylver VLS A50 will be used on [[Italian Navy]] ''EPC / MMPC'' class, financed since 2022 for commissioning begin 2030
{{GRC}}
* 4 x 8 Sylver A50 will be used by the [[Hellenic Navy]] on each of the three [[Frégate de défense et d'intervention|FDI HN]] frigates for MBDA Aster 30 missiles
{{MAS}}
* Sylver VLS A35 will be used by [[Royal Malaysian Navy]] on {{sclass|Maharaja Lela|frigate|1}}s
{{QAT}}
* Sylver VLS A50 will be used on [[Qatari Emiri Navy]] vessels (1 x 8 on one LPD and 2 x 8 on four frigates), ordered on 16 June 2016 to Fincantieri for commissioning begin 2022

==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]]