HMS Argyll completes Sea Ceptor firings
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HMS Argyll completes Sea Ceptor firings
Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll completes Sea Ceptor firings - Janes
Firing trials of the GWS 35 Sea Ceptor air defence system have been successfully completed on board HMS Argyll. Source: MBDA
The UK Royal Navy (RN) Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll has successfully completed final first of class firing trials of the GWS 35 Sea Ceptor local area anti-air missile system ahead of formal acceptance into service planned for early 2018.
Two salvo firings were performed from Argyll during a two- week period in late October/early November. GWS 35 is being retrofitted to all 13 RN Type 23 frigates to replace the GWS 26 Mod 1 VL Seawolf (VLSW) point defence missile system as part of the frigate capability sustainment programme.
Developed and manufactured by MBDA under the umbrella of the company’s portfolio management agreement with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Sea Ceptor system is founded on MBDA’s Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) munition. CAMM employs active radar homing, supported by mid-course guidance updates, to deliver an all-weather engagement capability against targets out to a range of 25 km. Another major feature of the CAMM munition is the use of a ‘soft’ vertical launch system. The missile is ejected from its canister by a piston driven by an explosive gas charge incorporated within the canister; once at height, aft-mounted gas thrusters effect a turnover manoeuvre before the main motor fires.
Argyll completed a first set of first of class firing trials on the MoD’s Hebrides range in July 2017. This campaign saw three separate firing serials, each involving the launch of a single CAMM missile against Mirach 100/5 targets. The second and final set of firing trials, also conducted on the MoD Hebrides range, was designed to test GWS 35 against a more complex and stressing threat set.
Firing trials of the GWS 35 Sea Ceptor air defence system have been successfully completed on board HMS Argyll. Source: MBDA
The UK Royal Navy (RN) Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll has successfully completed final first of class firing trials of the GWS 35 Sea Ceptor local area anti-air missile system ahead of formal acceptance into service planned for early 2018.
Two salvo firings were performed from Argyll during a two- week period in late October/early November. GWS 35 is being retrofitted to all 13 RN Type 23 frigates to replace the GWS 26 Mod 1 VL Seawolf (VLSW) point defence missile system as part of the frigate capability sustainment programme.
Developed and manufactured by MBDA under the umbrella of the company’s portfolio management agreement with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Sea Ceptor system is founded on MBDA’s Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) munition. CAMM employs active radar homing, supported by mid-course guidance updates, to deliver an all-weather engagement capability against targets out to a range of 25 km. Another major feature of the CAMM munition is the use of a ‘soft’ vertical launch system. The missile is ejected from its canister by a piston driven by an explosive gas charge incorporated within the canister; once at height, aft-mounted gas thrusters effect a turnover manoeuvre before the main motor fires.
Argyll completed a first set of first of class firing trials on the MoD’s Hebrides range in July 2017. This campaign saw three separate firing serials, each involving the launch of a single CAMM missile against Mirach 100/5 targets. The second and final set of firing trials, also conducted on the MoD Hebrides range, was designed to test GWS 35 against a more complex and stressing threat set.
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Ahh the flowerpot men launchers in a nice walled garden by the bridge.
against targets out to a range of 25 km
That'll have them fuzziewuzzies scared. They don't like it up 'em, yer know Cap'n.
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I am surprised at the spread out/lack of density of the launcher/“missile farm”.
I had read somewhere it can be quad packed in a US style ship launcher (?Mk something or other). Not sure how if it uses a piston to eject it before firing engine. If it can be quad packed, why the acreage for the Type 23 launcher?
I had read somewhere it can be quad packed in a US style ship launcher (?Mk something or other). Not sure how if it uses a piston to eject it before firing engine. If it can be quad packed, why the acreage for the Type 23 launcher?
Last edited by rjtjrt; 25th Dec 2017 at 00:20. Reason: Typing
It's designed to be a local area air defence system. So a useful step up from Seawolf which was pure point defence, it can also defend consorts. And yes the fit in T23 deliberately re-used the tube layout that Seawolf used, to reduce cost and structural impact.
Just remember that for a few years frigates with Sea Wolf (which can provide extended point defence) will continue to deploy into harm's way, therefore one hopes GWS 26/SWMLU/911 will continue to be supported, despite the drive for cuts.
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That is a very neat video, what a design. Quite startling to guys of my generation used to seeing traditional launches.
Presumably the Safety Case for this has to include both it not rotating (which would look interesting from the ship
) and it pivoting the wrong way and heading in the wrong direction?
Presumably the Safety Case for this has to include both it not rotating (which would look interesting from the ship
) and it pivoting the wrong way and heading in the wrong direction?
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Probably can't afford to test missiles in all conditions. Sounds like 1 fired at simple target, 1 fired at tough target (?low level?) and 2 fired at once at 2 targets
Posted picture looks like pretty benign conditions TBH
Posted picture looks like pretty benign conditions TBH