A further step in development of the joint European Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS) project for the Common New Generation Frigate took place in July, when UKAMS, the company responsible for development and initial production of Britain's variant, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Matra BAe Dynamics UK.

The move followed an agreement signed between Matra BAe Dynamics, British Aerospace PLC and GEC-Marconi, formerly UKAMS shareholders.

This agreement gives Matra BAe Dynamics prime contractor responsibility for the UK variant of the project, and UKAMS will in future operate from the group's Stevenage and Bristol sites. Matra BAe Dynamics will retain the PAAMS' Vertical Launcher element, and other missile development aspects.

BAe Defense Systems, which incorporates the former Siemens Plessey Electronic Systems Ltd., will keep responsibility for the multi-function radar, while GEC-Marconi retains the long-range radar. The PAAMS Command and Control System will be shared between Matra BAe Dynamics and GEC-Marconi.

By John Fricker