TRIDENT D-5
The UK Strategic deterrent (US Trident D-5) is deployed
in the four Vanguard class Ballistic Missile Nuclear-Powered
Submarines (SSBNs). The Trident D-5 missile is a three-stage, solid
propellant Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) - it is 13.42 m
long and has a body diameter of 2.11 m. It has a launch weight of
59,090 kg and a maximum range of 12,000 km. The minimum range is
believed to be about 2,500 km.
It has been stated that the UK missiles will carry up to eight
warheads each, but it is expected that there will be between one and
four warheads fitted to most missiles. The UK plans to use some
Trident D-5 missiles in a `sub-strategic' role, with a single warhead
set to produce a smaller yield, believed to be around 10 kT.
A
statement in 1999 clarified the situation with regard to the maximum
number of warheads to be carried by each of the UK’s SSBNs, which will
be limited to 48.
SLCM: HUGHES TOMAHAWK IIIC
In
1995, the UK MoD announced that a total of seven in-service SSNs (two
Swiftsure class and five Trafalgar class) will be modified for the
Tomahawk cruise missile. By 2003, the RN aims to have five TLAM-capable
boats fully operational at any one time. The UK is acquiring an initial
65 x Tomahawk Block III missiles, built by Hughes Missile Systems
Company under a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement, worth £180
million.
Under the terms of the
1998
Strategic Defence Review, it was announced that the nuclear powered
attack submarine force would be reduced from 12 to 10 'in the
longer term', and that now all10 submarines would be fitted with
the Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile. The Tomahawk TLAM-C (Tactical
Land Attack Missile - Conventional) has a range of about 950 km.
HMS Splendid began a six-month
Capability Upgrade Period (CUP) in October 1997, designed to allow
the submarine to operate the Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missile.
The CUP package, the first of its kind, enabled HMS Splendid to conduct
the RN's first live firing of TLAM at a Pacific test range off San
Diego in November 1998.
HMS Splendid took part in
operations against Kosovo during April and May 1999. During some extremely
bad weather, HMS Splendid was the only European Unit available to
contribute to the attack element of the campaign.
The submarine remained under
United Kingdom (rather than NATO) control throughout the operation,
and, according to some reports from the UK MoD, is understood to have
fired 20 of the 238 x TLAC-Ms used in the operation. Overall, 198
of these hit their target and this success rate of 83% was matched
by the 85% success rate (17 out of 20) claimed for the UK-launched
rounds.
In total, 7 x Trafalgar
Class and 2 x Swiftsure Class submarines will be made TLAC-M capable
by 2006, with HMS Triumph, HMS Trafalgar, HMS Spartan and HMS Torbay
all TLAC-M capable by the end of 2001. The total cost of the TLAC-M
programme is believed to be £300 million.
The UK fired 20 missiles against targets in Serbia in early 1999, with
more missiles fired against Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003.
In February 2006 it was disclosed that Tomahawk missiles had been
purchased as follows: 1997 – 48; 1998 – 17; 1999 – 0; 2000 – 0; 2001 –
20; 2002 – 0; 2003 – 22. During early 2006 64 x Block IV Tomahawk
cruise missiles are currently on order.
HARPOON
Harpoon, manufactured by McDonnell-Douglas of the USA, is an extremely
powerful anti-shipping missile that is fitted to the Type 22 and Type 23
Frigates. The Sub Harpoon (UGM-84A) is fitted to the Trafalgar and Swiftsure
Class submarines.
The latest versions of this missile have extremely
sophisticated electronic counter measures (ECM), and the ability to fly a
sea-skimming course on a dog-leg path through three pre-programmed way points.
The warhead is extremely powerful and a hit from Harpoon is almost certain to
result in the destruction or disablement of a major surface vessel.
|
Harpoon Specifications |
| Length |
3.84m |
| Diameter |
0.343m |
| Total Weight |
526kg |
| Warhead Weight |
225kg |
| Range |
110kms |
PAAMS (ASTER)
The PAAMS (Principal Anti Air Missile
System) surface to air missile system will equip the Type 45 Destroyers.
Two versions will be in service, the Aster 15 (short range) and the
Aster 30 (long range).
PAAMS is the only available system that can integrate three operational
naval missions: self-defence, local area defence of nearby vessels and
fleet area defence.
The complete system consists of the missiles, missile launchers, command
and control (C2) system and the associated radars.
Within the figure of £561.6 million overall cost for a Type 45
Destroyer, the cost of the PAAMS system is approximately one third or
about £187 million.
PAAMS is also being purchased by France and Italy.
|
PAAMS (Aster) Specifications |
| Aster 15 |
|
| Length |
4.2m |
| Diameter |
0.18m |
| Weight |
310kg |
| Range |
30kms (in excess of) |
| Speed |
Mach 3 |
| |
| Aster 30 |
|
| Length |
4.9m |
| Diameter |
0.18m |
| Weight |
450kg |
| Range |
100kms (in excess of) |
| Speed |
Mach 4.5 |
|
SEA
DART
Sea Dart is a surface-to-air missile system with a long range (probably in
excess of 80kms) and employs a two-stage system with a primary booster rocket
powering the warhead and ramjet on their way to the target.
There is a limited
surface-to-surface capability out to a range of about 28km and the guidance
system is a semi-active homing radar.
|
Sea Dart Specifications |
| Length |
4.40m |
| Diameter |
0.42m |
| Total Weight |
549kg |
| Range |
80km + approx |
SEA
WOLF
Sea
Wolf is a ship-based, surface-to-air missile designed for the defence
of point targets.
This is a highly efficient system thought to be capable of dealing
with aircraft, missiles and even artillery rounds.
The guidance system is semi-automatic command to line of sight with
radar and/or infra-red missile and target tracking.
|
Sea Wolf Specifications |
| Length |
1.91m |
| Diameter |
0.18m |
| Total Weight |
79.8kg |
| Range |
6/7000m |
| Altitude |
3/4,000m |
|
