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Abbreviations

Armed Forces - Royal Navy - n6a1 - Royal Naval Missiles

ROYAL NAVAL MISSILES 


 TRIDENT D-5
 SLCM: HUGHES TOMAHAWK IIIC
 HARPOON
PAAMS (ASTER)
 SEA DART
SEA WOLF
 
SEA SKUA
 OTHER MISSILES

 

 


TRIDENT D-5
 

A Trident II D5 Missile breaking the surface, having been fired from HMS Vanguard a Strategic Missile Submarine. This was the culmination of an intensive period of training, which was part of the long process of bringing a submarine out of a Long Overhaul Period and Refuel, through sea trials, sea training and this Demonstration and Shakedown Operation to bring her back to Operational Service in 2006.

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

 

Tomahawk Land Attack Missle (TLAM) (Cruise Missle) flying through the air

 

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    
 

A Harpoon Missile fired during a Royal Navy Live fire exercise

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 Type 42 Missile System

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 Missile being launched from a Royal Navy Vessel

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

 

 

 

SEA SKUA  

 

Sea Skua - Anti-ship Missile

Sea Skua is a short-range, anti-ship missile that has been in Royal Naval service since 1982.

 

The missile is currently carried as the main armament of the Lynx aircraft flying from RN destroyers / frigates.
 


The guidance system is semi-active terminal homing.



 

 

Sea Skua is currently planned to leave service from around the 2012 to 2014 period. It is intended to be replaced by the Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon.

 

 

Sea Skua Specifications
Length 2.85m
Diameter 0.22m
Total Weight 147kg
Range 20km approx

 

 

 

OTHER MISSILES  

Missiles in Royal Naval Service such as: AMRAAM, Sea Eagle and Sidewinder are also in RAF service and the relevant entries are in the RAF Section.

Photos Crown Copyright