Seaslug (missile)
| Seaslug | |
|---|---|
Seaslug Mk. II missile | |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | UK |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1961–1991 |
| Used by | UK (Royal Navy), Chile |
| Wars | Falklands War, Cold War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | Mark 1: 1961 Mark 2: 1965 |
| Manufacturer | Armstrong Whitworth |
| Variants | Mark 1, Mark 2 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Mk.1: 2,080 kg Mk.2: 2,384 kg |
| Length | Mk.1: 6.0 m Mk.2: 6.1 m |
| Diameter | Mk.1: 0.42 m Mk.2: 0.41 m |
| Wingspan | 1.44 m |
| Warhead | Mk.1: 200 lb (91 kg) blast Mk.2: continuous-rod warhead |
Detonation mechanism | Mk.1: radio proximity & impact Mk.2: infrared proximity |
| Engine |
|
Operational range | Mk.1: 30,000 yards (27,000 m) Mk.2: 35,000 yards (32,000 m) |
| Flight ceiling | Mk.1: 55,000 feet (17,000 m) Mk.2: 65,000 feet (20,000 m) |
| Maximum speed | Mk.1: 685 mph (1,102 km/h) Mk.2: 1,370 mph (2,200 km/h) |
Guidance system | Beam riding |
Steering system | Control surface |
Launch platform | Ship |
Seaslug was a first-generation surface-to-air missile developed by Armstrong Whitworth (later part of the Hawker Siddeley group) for use by the Royal Navy. Its origins date back to the 1943 LOPGAP project. The missile entered operational service in 1961 and remained in use until the early 1980s, including during the 1982 Falklands War.
Designed to engage high-altitude targets such as reconnaissance aircraft or bombers before they could launch stand-off weapons, Seaslug was fitted only to the eight County-class destroyers, which were purpose-built around the system. The missile was fired in combat at an airborne target on a single occasion, by HMS Antrim during the Falklands War, but failed to hit its target, although it was later used against surface targets.
Seaslug's medium-range role was initially intended to be replaced by the long-range Blue Envoy missile. However, Blue Envoy was cancelled in favour of a new medium-range system, Sea Dart. Sea Dart entered service in 1973 aboard the Type 82 destroyer HMS Bristol (D23) and gradually replaced Seaslug as the County-class destroyers were withdrawn from service during the 1980s.