RN will have to play catch-up to achieve hypersonic ambitions
The RN has been criticised for its ships being well-defended but lacking lethality. (Photo: UK MoD/ Crown Copyright)
Comments from the head of the RN about hypersonic ambitions came shortly before UK officials met with their French counterparts to progress the joint Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon project.
In a 10 February speech, the head of the UK RN, First Sea Lord Adm Sir Ben Key, expressed an ambition to make the service a global leader in hypersonic weapons; however, the service will have to play catch-up to meet these ambitions.
The ambition to become a global leader in hypersonic weapons comes after the RN formally cancelled plans to acquire an interim replacement for the Harpoon missile, leaving it with an anti-ship missile capability gap between 2023 and 2028.
Speaking during a visit to Scotland to see the shipyards building the Inspiration-class Type 31 and City-class Type
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
- Free magazine subscription to all our titles
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
- 10-year news archive access
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Babcock contracted for Royal Navy Ardent Wolf programme]()
Babcock contracted for Royal Navy Ardent Wolf programme
Babcock will deliver, install and provide in-service support for Ardent Wolf, the maritime Communications Electronic Support Measures capability for the UK Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates.
-
![French fire up Duguay-Trouin SSN’s nuclear reactor]()
French fire up Duguay-Trouin SSN’s nuclear reactor
The first controlled reaction has occurred inside the nuclear reactor aboard the submarine Duguay-Trouin.
-
![ECA Group and TechnicAtome partner on next-gen French nuclear subs]()
ECA Group and TechnicAtome partner on next-gen French nuclear subs
ECA Group will produce onboard electrical systems for next-generation French SSBNs.
-
![UK commits to two new survey ships, the first to be procured this year]()
UK commits to two new survey ships, the first to be procured this year
Galvanised by the recent damage to the Nordstream pipelines, the UK is procuring new ships for keeping tabs on critical undersea infrastructure.
