HMS Argyll fires Sea Ceptor
The Royal Navy’s new Sea Ceptor air missile defence system has been fired from Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll for the first time in successful trials, it was announced on 4 September.
The missiles were launched from Argyll off the coast of Scotland.
The Sea Ceptor system, which uses MBDA’s Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM), is being fitted to replace the Sea Wolf weapon system on the Type 23 frigates as part of a life-extension programme.
HMS Argyll, the first Type 23 vessel to undergo the life-extension work, will conduct further firing trials of the Sea Ceptor system before returning to frontline service.
Sea Ceptor will provide protection against anti-ship cruise missiles, aircraft and other threats.The missile’s aerodynamic design provides improved performance in the air and makes it highly compact for installation onboard ship. Sea Ceptor uses a soft vertical launch system that reduces the impact of a traditional hot launch missile on both the ship and the crew.
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