| Sea Wolf | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Defence_Imagery_-_Missiles_10.jpg) Type 23 frigate HMS Portland fires a vertical-launch Sea Wolf. | |
| Type | Surface-to-air |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | Since 1979 |
| Used by | See operators |
| Wars | Falklands War, Gulf War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | British Aircraft Corporation |
| Designed | 1967 |
| Manufacturer | British Aircraft Corporation (1967–1977) BAe Dynamics (1977–1999) MBDA UK (since 1999) |
| Produced | 1979 |
| Variants | Electronics; GWS-25, GWS-26, GWS-27 Vertical Launch |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 82 kg (180.8 lb) |
| Length | 1.9 m (6 ft 2.8 in) |
| Diameter | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Wingspan | 450 mm (17.7 in) |
| Warhead | 14 kg (30.9 lb) HE blast-fragmentation |
Detonation mechanism | Direct contact/proximity fuze activated |
| Engine | Blackcap solid fuel sustainer |
Operational range | 1–10 km (0.5–5.4 nmi),[1] VLS |
| Flight ceiling | 3,000 m (9,842.5 ft) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3 (3,700 km/h; 2,300 mph) |
Guidance system | Automatic Command to Line-Of-Sight (ACLOS) |
Steering system | Control surfaces |
Launch platform | Ship |
Sea Wolf is a naval surface-to-air missile system designed and built by BAC, later to become British Aerospace (BAe) Dynamics, and now MBDA. It is an automated point-defence weapon system designed as a short-range defence against both sea-skimming and high angle anti-ship missiles and aircraft. The Royal Navy has fielded two versions, the GWS-25 Conventionally Launched Sea Wolf (CLSW) and the GWS-26 Vertically Launched Sea Wolf (VLSW) forms. In Royal Navy service Sea Wolf is being replaced by Sea Ceptor.
- ^ "Sea Wolf : Weapon Systems : Surface Fleet : Operations and Support : Royal Navy". Archived from the original on 1 January 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2009.