European missile-maker MBDA is to explore a ground-based air defense missile system based on its Sea Ceptor system for Royal Navy frigates.

Under a $60.7 million contract from Britain's Ministry of Defense, MBDA will demonstrate the adaptation and evolution of core weapon system sub-systems, such as command and control, for a land environment and prepare the system to replace the Royal Army's Rapier air defense system.

The contract is in support of the ministry's Future Local Area Air Defense System (Land) program, with MBDA's Common Anti-air Modular Missile, or CAMM at its heart. By using the system already contracted for installation on Type 23 frigates, the development costs for a land system will be reduced.

"This new contract further demonstrates the value of the partnership strategy that MBDA is advancing with its domestic customers," said Antoine Bouvier, chief executive officer of MBDA. "By extending the FLAADS program to land applications, the British MOD is showing that MBDA continues to be its complex weapons company of choice and recognizes its ingenuity in maximizing cost benefits through modularity and the re-use of existing technologies.

"… CAMM-based missile systems offer advantages in terms of capability and through-life costs which I'm sure will interest many armies and navies around the world."

The Ministry of Defense said a decision on whether or not to procure MBDA's Common Anti-air Modular Missile for land use will be made next year.