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Abbreviations

Royal Navy - Royal Naval Missiles - Trident D5, Tomahawk, Harpoon, Sea Viper (PAAMS), Sea Dart, Sea Wolf, Sea Skua, Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon, Other Missile - n6a1 - Armed Forces

ROYAL NAVAL MISSILES


TRIDENT D-5
SLCM: HUGHES TOMAHAWK IIIC/BLOCK IV
HARPOON
SEA VIPER PAAMS (ASTER)
SEA DART
SEA WOLF
SEA SKUA
FUTURE ANTI-SURFACE GUIDED WEAPON
OTHER MISSILES

 

 


TRIDENT D-5

 

Trident II (D-5) underwater launch

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.

 

Photo US Navy

 

 


SLCM: HUGHES TOMAHAWK IIIC/BLOCK IV

 

Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile during a flight test

US-built Tomahawk is deployed in all RN Attack submarines.

In 1995, the first export order for Tomahawk missiles was announced, with the UK ordering 65 missiles, Advanced Tomahawk Weapon Control Systems for seven boats, and a shore-based mission planning system.

The missiles are UGM-109C TLAM-C versions to the Block 3/4 build standard, to be launched from standard torpedo tubes.

 

The UK fired 20 missiles against targets in Serbia in early 1999, with more missiles fired against Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003. Tomahawk has a range of up to 1,700kms.

 

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; 2006 – 64 x Block IV.

Average cost of a Block IV Missile is believed to be in the region of £600,000.

 

Photo US Navy

 

HARPOON

 

RGM-84 surface-to-surface Harpoon missile leaving the capsule as it clears the surface of the water

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 also deployed in Astute, Trafalgar and the remaining 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

 

Photo US Navy

 

 

 

SEA VIPER (PAAMS ASTER)

 

The Sea Viper (PAAMS - Principal Anti Air Missile System) is the surface to air missile system that is found on the Type 45 Destroyers. Two versions will be in service, the Aster 15 (short range) and the Aster 30 (long range).
 


Sea Viper 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 Sea Viper system is approximately one third or about £187 million.


Sea Viper is also being purchased by France and Italy.


Sea Viper (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


Photo Copyright MBDA

 

 

SEA DART
 

Sea Dart missile prior to firing during the Falklands War

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 Block 2 firing

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

 

Photo Copyright MBDA

 


 

 

SEA SKUA
 

Sea Skua firing from Royal Navy Lynx helicopter

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

 

Photo Copyright MBDA


 


FUTURE ANTI-SURFACE GUIDED WEAPON

 

Thales's Lightweight Multi-role Missile (LMM) possible Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon

 

The Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW) is intended to meet this requirement and hence ensure the Royal Navy maintains its Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) attack capability well into the next century.

FASGW will provide the most cost-effective ASuW delivery system to meet the perceived threat of Fast Attack Craft (FAC) and to help establish Sea Control/Sea Denial within the area of operations (including the littoral).
 

FASGW is focussed on Corvette sized (and smaller) targets (including missile firing FACs), and on coastal "soft" land targets.

A series of solutions (both light and heavy) appears to be under consideration.

 

Photo Copyright Thales

 

OTHER MISSILES

 

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