Britain’s new anti-missile defense system to protect the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class
carriers, as well as some other frontline warships, has been declared operational.
The Sea Ceptor is a short-range shield designed to provide cover against air attacks.
It has been developed at a cost of about $1.1 billion.
In this video, Defense Updates analyzes the Sea Ceptor missile that will protect Queen
Elizabeth-class.
Let us get started.
Britain's potential rivals like Russia and China are aggressively developing powerful
anti-ship capabilities.
Britain’s military experts have been growing conscious of Russia's belligerent behavior
and rapid military upgrades.
At the opening of the Royal United Service Institute’s conference on sea warfare, UK
defense secretary Gavin Williamson said, “Russian warships had approached UK waters 33 times
last year, compared with just once in 2010.
It goes to show the increasing aggression, increasing assertiveness of Russia”.
Sea Wolf air defense system currently used by the UK is aging and hence Sea Ceptor has
been developed.
Sea Ceptor missile defense system is developed by MBDA.
The system uses a gas generator to eject the missile from its canister.
This saves the rocket motor’s energy and enables better range.
Sea Ceptors have a range in excess of 25 km, as opposed to the 1–10 km of Sea Wolf that
it replaces.
The missile weighs 99 kilograms and has a length of 3.2 m.
The compact size enables large numbers of these to be loaded in the warships.
The Vertical launch system offers 360° degree coverage, high degrees of maneuverability
and minimum launch signature.
The system has a speed of Mach 3.
It uses datalink for mid-course guidance and Active Radar homing seeker for the final stage.
Sea Ceptor uses ship’s existing surveillance radar and does not require dedicated fire
control radars making it very cost-effective and flexible.
Sea Ceptors will be deployed in Queen Elizabeth-class carriers, the Type 23 frigates, and upcoming
Type 26 frigates.
The system has been deployed on 4 ships of Type 23 class so far, namely Argyll, Montrose,
Westminster, and Northumberland.
Three of these have tested the missile.
The last test was from the HMS Montrose and was used to intercept a fast-moving drone
target.
The new Type 26 frigates, 3 of which are currently under construction, will also be fitted with
the system.
The UK defense secretary Gavin Williamson during a speech at the Rusi Sea Power conference
in London said, “Fitting our warships with this ground-breaking technology not only protects
our navy but shows we are world leaders at sea.”
Richard Smart, Director Weapons for the MOD’s procurement organization Defense Equipment
and Support (DE&S) said,“Sea Ceptor’s entry into service with the Royal Navy is
a significant milestone, a massive achievement for everyone involved and a proud moment for
the team.
It’s really exciting to be delivering a new capability that will form part of the
protection for the new aircraft carriers and will help to keep our service personnel and
our country safe.”
As per the defined parameters, Sea Ceptors seems capable of defending Britain’s warships
against supersonic missiles.
But the threat environment has changed rapidly and rivals are developing hypersonic missiles.
Russia is at the forefront of this technology.
Kinzhal air-launched hypersonic missile was first disclosed by President Putin during
state-of-nation address recently.
In a video, a MiG-31 Foxhound interceptor was shown to be carrying and releasing it.
Computer generated graphics during Putin’s speech showed Kinzhal attacking surface warships,
though it also reportedly has a land-attack capability.
It has a range of approximately 1,250 miles and a top speed of more than 10 times the
speed of sound.
It is also capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
Kinzhal’s speed coupled with the ability to fly erratically will make it almost impossible
for Sea Ceptors to intercept it.