View source for Sea Wolf (missile)

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
| image= Defence Imagery - Missiles 10.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=[[Type 23 frigate]] {{HMS|Portland|F79|6}} fires a vertical-launch Sea Wolf.
|name=Sea Wolf
|type=[[Surface-to-air]]
|origin=United Kingdom<!-- Please DON'T add those tiny flags, as they limit horizontal space (Read [[WP:Manual of Style/Icons#Avoid flag icons in infoboxes]]). -->
|launch_platform=Ship
|designer=[[British Aircraft Corporation]]
|manufacturer=British Aircraft Corporation (1967–1977)<br />[[BAe Dynamics]] (1977–1999)<br />[[MBDA UK]] (since 1999)
|design_date=1967
|production_date=1979
|service=Since 1979
|used_by= [[#Operators|See ''operators'']]
|wars= [[Falklands War]], [[Gulf War]]
|spec_type=
|diameter= {{convert|180|mm|abbr=on|lk=on|1}}
|wingspan= {{convert|450|mm|abbr=on|lk=off|1}}
|length={{convert|1.9|m|abbr=on|lk=on|1}}
|weight= {{convert|82|kg|abbr=on|lk=on|1}}
|speed={{convert|3|Mach}}
|vehicle_range= {{convert|1|–|10|km|nmi|abbr=on|lk=on|1}},<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/weapon-systems/sea-wolf/ |title=Sea Wolf : Weapon Systems : Surface Fleet : Operations and Support : Royal Navy |access-date=9 May 2009 |archive-date=1 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100101202615/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/weapon-systems/sea-wolf/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> VLS
|ceiling={{convert|3000|m|abbr=on|lk=off|1}}
|filling={{convert|14|kg|abbr=on|lk=off|1}} [[fragmentation (weaponry)|HE blast-fragmentation]]
|engine=Blackcap solid fuel sustainer
|steering=Control surfaces
|guidance=[[Missile guidance#Automatic command to line-of-sight|Automatic Command to Line-Of-Sight (ACLOS)]]
|variants=Electronics; <br />GWS-25, GWS-26, GWS-27 <br />Vertical Launch
|number=
|detonation=[[Contact fuze|Direct contact]]/[[proximity fuze]] activated
}}

'''Sea Wolf''' is a naval [[surface-to-air missile]] system designed and built by [[British Aircraft Corporation|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 missile]]s 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 has been replaced by [[Sea Ceptor]].

==History==
[[File:Seacat Seawolf IWM Duxford.JPG|left|thumb|Seawolf (right) replaced Seacat (left).]]
The earliest point-defence missile used by the Royal Navy was the [[Seacat missile|Seacat]], which had been rapidly developed from an earlier [[anti-tank missile]] design, the [[Malkara (missile)|Malkara]]. As a weapon originally designed to operate against slow-moving ground vehicles, the missile had subsonic performance and was of limited capability against even early jet aircraft. It was used largely due to the ease which it could be adapted to the role simply by replacing the original [[wire guidance]] system with a [[radio command]] link, and that its small size allowed multi-round launchers to be fitted to ships in place of their [[Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun|Bofors 40 mm gun]]s. It entered service in 1961, the first point-defence missile to do so.

The limited performance was understood to be a problem from the start and a requirement for a higher performance replacement was published in 1964. [[British Aircraft Corporation]] (BAC) won a 1967 development contract along with [[Vickers]] and Bristol Aerojet. Although only slightly longer and heavier than Seacat, Sea Wolf offered dramatically higher performance, with a top speed on the order of Mach 3, an effective range roughly double that of Seacat, and a fully automated guidance system that made engagements much simpler.

Testing lasted from 1970 until 1977, with shipborne trials on a modified [[Leander-class frigate|''Leander'' class frigate]], {{HMS|Penelope|F127|6}}, from 1976. Sea Wolf was tested with a vertical launch system early in the development period on a modified [[Loch-class frigate|''Loch'' class frigate]], {{HMS|Loch Fada|K390|6}} but for obscure reasons work did not continue in this direction: the GWS-26 "VL Seawolf (VLS)" being a much later (1980s) development. During trials, the missile performed impressively, once intercepting a {{convert|114|mm|abbr=on|lk=off|1}} shell.

[[File:Sea Wolf Missile.jpg|thumb|Sea Wolf at RAF Museum Cosford.]]

The first deployment, in the GWS-25 form, was on the [[Type 22 frigate]] (2 systems) and later on modified ''Leander'' class frigates (1 system) in six-round, manually-loaded trainable launchers. It entered service with the Royal Navy in 1979 and was used during the [[Falklands War]]. The current version is the GWS-26 Mod 1 system on [[Type 23 frigate]]s, fielding 32 vertical launch missiles (VL Sea Wolf) in its missile silo. It is expected to remain in service until 2020{{clarify|reason=2020 has been and gone...|date=February 2024}}.

==Description==
Sea Wolf is powered by the ''Blackcap'' solid-fuel rocket to a maximum [[velocity]] of Mach 2, and can intercept targets at ranges between {{convert|1000|and|6000|m|yd|abbr=on}} and altitudes from {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}} to {{convert|3000|m|abbr=on}}. The warhead weighs {{convert|14|kg|abbr=on|lk=off|1}} and is a [[proximity fuze]]d HE-fragmenting type. In the manually loaded form, the missiles are stored on board in maintenance-free canisters, sealed until use and handled like a round of ammunition.

===Fire control===
[[File:HMS Cumberland - RAS with RFA Wave Knight MOD 45145682.jpg|thumb|Original GWS-25 sextuple launcher on the [[Type 22 frigate]] {{HMS|Cumberland|F85|6}}.]]
[[File:Sea Wolf GWS-25 missile launcher at Explosion Museum.jpg|thumb|Sea Wolf GWS-25 missile launcher at [[Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower]]]]
The standard mode is fully automated and uses radar tracking. Target detection is carried out using the ship's surveillance radars. In the Type 22- and Sea Wolf-equipped ''Leander'' class, this was the radar Type 967–968 combination; the D-band Type 967 providing long-range surveillance and the E-band Type 968 providing short-range target indication. On the Type 23 frigates, these functions have been taken over by the Type 996 3D surveillance radar. Target data is processed by the ship's computers and when the system is live, targets are automatically assigned and engaged automatically (although this can be over-ridden by the Missile Director (MD) in the Operations Room).

When a target is to be engaged, the ship's computer slews one of the two Sea Wolf trackers onto the target (there was a single tracker on a Sea Wolf ''Leander''). Originally the Type 910, with an I-band radar, was used but this suffered from poor performance locking onto low-altitude targets hidden in the background sea clutter in the Falklands War. Low-level targets had to be engaged using the 910's secondary TV mode to manually track the target. The lighter Type 911 supplanted the Type 910, adding a second radar (a K-band set based on the ''Blindfire'' tracker of the [[Rapier (missile)|Rapier missile]], to control engagements at low level) and was fitted in the 7th ''Type 22'' Frigate onwards. Unlike Type 910, Type 911 does not have any TV function; the TV camera is retained only to allow the Missile Director to visually confirm targets and to provide a record of engagements.

As the ''Leander'' and ''Type 22'' classes did not possess a 3D radar set, the altitude of the target had to be acquired by the tracker itself by vertically scanning the airspace on the bearing given by a target indication radar (Type 967–968) until a target lock could be acquired.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://marconiradarhistory.pbworks.com/w/page/52557648/The%20Falklands%20Story|title= Marconi Radar History - The Falklands Story|accessdate=2025-02-27 |date= 1 May 2022}}</ref> When lock has been achieved by the missile tracker and the system's rules of engagement were fullfiled, a round is fired and tracked by a pair of radio beacons in the missile's tail. The ship-board system constantly measures the angle differences between the target and the missile and issues guidance commands to the missile through an Automatic Command to Line of Sight (ACLOS) device transmitting on a microwave link controlling the rear fins of the missile. It is possible for a tracker to control a salvo of two missiles. The radar and CCTV guidance system were developed by Marconi Radar at [[Great Baddow]], Essex. The guidance receiver was developed and built by Plessey Avionics and Communications in Ilford, Essex.

==Combat performance==
{{multiple image
| footer    = The Type 42/22 combination achieved some degree of success during the Falklands Conflict, but the Sea Wolf armed ships were unable to prevent the loss of {{HMS|Coventry|D118|6}} and heavy damage to {{HMS|Glasgow|D88|6}}.
| align     = right
| caption_align = center
| direction = vertical
| image1    = HMS Glasgow (D88) underway in the Mediterranean Sea on 19 May 1983 (6474635).jpg
| width1    = 220
| alt1      = HMS ''Glasgow''
| caption1  = HMS ''Glasgow''
| link1     = HMS Glasgow (D88)

| image2    = HMS Brilliant (F90) enters a port in September 1985 (6421615).jpg
| width2    = 220
| alt2      = HMS ''Brilliant''
| caption2  = HMS ''Brilliant''
| link2     = HMS Brilliant (F90)
}}
During the Falklands War, Sea Wolf was the Royal Navy's only modern point-defence weapon. It equipped the Type 22 frigates [[HMS Brilliant (F90)|HMS ''Brilliant'']], {{HMS|Broadsword|F88|6}} and the Batch 3A Leander class frigate {{HMS|Andromeda|F57|6}}. These ships were assigned "goalkeeper" duties, to provide close anti-aircraft defence of the carrier task force.

In an attempt to overcome the fleet's overall air defence deficiency following the loss of {{HMS|Sheffield|D80|6}}, a new tactic was devised, which saw each of the two Type 22 frigates paired with each of the two remaining [[Type 42 destroyer|Type 42 (area air defence) destroyers]]. The pairing was unofficially termed "Type 64", the sum of both classes numbers.<ref name="isbn0-304-35542-9">{{cite book |author-link=Sharkey Ward |first=Sharkey |last=Ward |title=Sea Harrier Over the Falklands |series=Cassell Military Paperbacks |publisher=Sterling*+ Publishing Company |year= 2000|at=Glossary |isbn=0-304-35542-9 }}</ref> The two pairs were deployed some distance from the main fleet, covering likely attack routes, in an attempt to draw attacking aircraft into a "missile trap", the intention being that, if the Type 42 was unable to engage targets at longer ranges with its [[Sea Dart (missile)|Sea Dart]] missiles, the Type 22 would use its short-range Sea Wolf missiles to defend both ships.

On 12 May 1982, ''Brilliant'' and {{HMS|Glasgow|D88|6}} were operating in combination and were attacked by two flights of four [[Argentina|Argentine]] [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk]] aircraft. ''Brilliant'' shot down two of these and caused a third to crash trying to avoid the missile. The second wave of aircraft attacked during a failure of the missile system and the Type 42 ''Glasgow'' sustained damage.

On 25 May 1982, {{HMS|Coventry|D118|6}} and ''Broadsword'' also operating in a 22/42 combination to the north-west of [[Falkland Sound]] came under attack by two waves of two A-4 Skyhawks.  ''Broadsword'' attempted to target the first pair with Sea Wolf but the tracking system locked down and could not be reset before the aircraft released their bombs.<ref name = "dyke">{{cite book| last=Hart Dyke |first= David| title=Four Weeks in May: The Loss of "HMS Coventry"| publisher=Atlantic Books| year=2007| isbn=978-1-84354-590-3}}</ref>{{page needed|date=May 2020}}  ''Broadsword'' was hit by one bomb, which bounced up through the deck and destroyed her [[Westland Lynx]] helicopter.  The second pair of Skyhawks headed for ''Coventry'' 90 seconds later at a 20-degree angle to her port bow. On ''Broadsword'' the Sea Wolf system had been reset and acquired the attacking aircraft but ''Coventry''{{'}}s evasive manoeuvring took her through the line of fire and the lock was lost.  ''Coventry'' was struck by three bombs and sank shortly after.

Sea Wolf suffered from problems with hardware failure causing launches to fail, broken locks from the extreme sea conditions and the Argentines' low-altitude hit-and-run tactics with multiple, crossing targets which it was not designed to intercept.<ref>{{cite book |title= One Hundred Days |last=Woodward |first=Sandy |year = 1992 |publisher=Harper Collins}}</ref>

Sea Wolf accounted for three confirmed "kills" and two further possibles from eight launches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naval-history.net/F64argaircraftlost.htm |title=Argentine Aircraft Lost |work=BATTLE ATLAS of the FALKLANDS WAR 1982 by Land, Sea and Air |first=Gordon  |last=Smith |publisher=NavalHistory.net}}</ref>

==Variants==
[[File:Sea Wolf.png|thumb|A trainable launcher type GWS-25 Sea Wolf missile. The GWS-26 vertical launch missile has a large booster motor in tandem.]]

===Vertical launch (VL) Sea Wolf GWS-26===
Instead of a launcher that is aimed at the target by the fire-control system, VL Sea Wolf uses a [[Vertical launching system|vertical-launch system]] (VLS). Missiles are launched vertically by a '''Cadiz''' booster motor and turnover pack, to clear the ship's superstructure and rapidly flipped onto their flight path by [[thrust vectoring]]. The booster motor, which also increases the range of VL Sea Wolf from {{convert|6.5|km|abbr=on}} to {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}}, then separates from the missile, which flies on to engage the target.<ref>[http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/weapon-systems/sea-wolf/ Sea Wolf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100101202615/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/weapon-systems/sea-wolf/ |date=1 January 2010 }} RoyalNavy.mod.uk, accessed 9 May 2009</ref>

Although vertical launch had been explored much earlier in Sea Wolf's development, it was not until the 1980s that a production design was undertaken. VLS went into service, using the [[GWS-26 system]], on the Type 23 frigate {{HMS|Norfolk|F230|6}}. Type 23 frigates have a 32-cell VLS, each cell holding one VL Sea Wolf for a total of 32 missiles. The cells, or canisters, are housed vertically in the ship's magazine such that the top of the canisters protrude from the magazine.<ref>[http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server?show=nav.1362&imageIndex=47 VLSW launch from HMS Sutherland].</ref>

===Block 2===
Block 2 Sea Wolf is a replenishment upgrade to the existing stocks of Sea Wolf missiles. Block 2 missiles have replaced all Sea Wolf missiles, both on Type 22 and Type 23 frigates, as part of normal ammunition replenishment operations. In a parallel programme ("Sea Wolf Mid-Life Update") the associated Type 911 tracker is being upgraded by the addition of an infra-red camera, enhanced tracking software and new operator's consoles.

===GWS-27===
Proposed "[[fire-and-forget]]" development with an active radar seeker instead of command guidance for dealing with saturation attacks. GWS-27 was cancelled in 1987.

===Lightweight Sea Wolf===
[[File:Sea wolf missile.JPG|thumb|Sea Wolf at RAF Museum Cosford.]]
Sea Wolf was not designed as a particularly lightweight system, the original GWS-25 variant with Type 910 tracking required {{convert|13.5|t|abbr=off|lk=on}} of tracking and below-decks fire-control equipments, reduced to {{convert|5|t|abbr=on|lk=off}} with the upgraded Type 911 tracker. The "broad-beam" ''Leander''-class frigate of {{convert|2500|t|LT|abbr=on|lk=off}} standard displacement could carry only a single missile system, and required some significant structural "surgery" of the upperworks to counteract the weight of the new missile system. Sea Wolf in its original guise cannot therefore be easily added to existing vessels. For this reason, the Lightweight Sea Wolf variant was designed to use a four-missile launcher, similar in form to that of the obsolete [[Sea Cat]] system. It was intended to equip the Royal Navy's [[Invincible-class aircraft carrier|''Invincible'' class]] carriers and Type 42 destroyers to supplement the medium range [[Sea Dart (missile)|Sea Dart]] system, which was not as capable of intercepting sea-skimming missiles. However, it was cancelled before it entered service.

== Replacement ==
{{Main|CAMM (missile family)}}

At the [[DSEI|DSEI conference]] in September 2007 it was announced that the UK [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] was funding a study by [[MBDA]] to investigate a replacement for Sea Wolf which is scheduled to leave service about 2018. MBDA was later contracted to replace the Vertical-Launch Sea Wolf weapons system on the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates as part of the ''Future Local Anti-air Defence System (Maritime)'' or FLAADS(M). The system chosen was the [[CAMM (missile family)|Common Anti-Air Modular Missile]] (CAMM) which would be known in Royal Navy service as "Sea Ceptor" and will also be jointly used by the [[British Army|British Army's]] new [[Sky Sabre]] [[Ground-based air defence|air defence system]] under the name "Land Ceptor". CAMM is derived from and shares components with the [[ASRAAM|Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM)]] missile in service with the [[Royal Air Force]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Missiles and Fire Support at DSEi 2007 |url=http://www.defense-update.com/events/2007/summary/dsei07_missiles.htm#camm}}</ref>

Sea Ceptor entered service on the [[Type 23 frigate|Type 23 frigates]] in 2018 replacing the Sea Wolf and will also be integrated onto the forthcoming [[Type 26 frigate|Type 26]] and [[Type 31 frigate|Type 31]] frigates when they enter service in the late 2020s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-04 |title=From Sea Wolf to Sea Ceptor – the Royal Navy's defensive shield {{!}} Navy Lookout |url=https://www.navylookout.com/from-sea-wolf-to-sea-ceptor-the-royal-navys-defensive-shield/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=www.navylookout.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> Sea Ceptor will also replace the [[Aster (missile family)|Aster 15]] missiles on the [[Type 45 destroyer|Type 45 Destroyers]] between 2026 and 2032.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-06 |title=Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers – reaching their full potential with addition of Sea Ceptor missiles {{!}} Navy Lookout |url=https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navys-type-45-destroyers-reaching-their-full-potential-with-addition-of-sea-ceptor-missiles/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=www.navylookout.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> 

==Operators==
[[File:Sea Wolf operators.png|thumb|300px|Map of Sea Wolf operators in blue]]

===Current operators===
*{{BRA}}
*{{MYS}}

===Former operators===
*{{UK}} (replaced by [[CAMM (missile family)|CAMM]])
*{{CHI}} (replaced by [[CAMM (missile family)|CAMM]])
*{{INA}}

==See also==
*[[List of missiles]]
*{{lwc|CAMM (missile family)|CAMM}} - Also known as 'Sea Ceptor' has replaced the Sea Wolf missile in service with the Royal Navy.
*{{lwc|Barak 1}}
*{{lwc|RIM-113}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
*{{citation |url=http://www.naval-history.net/NAVAL1982FALKLANDS.htm |title=Battle Atlas of the Falklands War 1982, by Land, Sea, Air |last=Smith |first= Gordon Smith |date=2006 |publisher=naval-history.net }}
*''Tras un manto de neblina. Breve crónica de la Guerra de las Malvinas'', Mario Díaz Gavier, Córdoba, 2004
*{{citation |first=Leo |last=Marriott |series=Modern Combat Ships 4 |title=Type 22 |publisher= Ian Allan Publishing |date= 1986}}
*{{citation |first=Leo |last=Marriott |title=Royal Navy Frigates 1945–1983 |publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing]] |date= 1983}}
*''Naval Armament'', Doug Richardson, Jane's Publishing, 1981
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Sea Wolf}}
*[http://www.janes.com/defence/news/jni/jni060411_1_n.shtml Jane's Defence news on Seawolf Block 2, April 2006]
*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/sea_wolf.htm Global Security]
*[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1983/1983%20-%202236.html Seawolf v Exocet - test detailed (Flight International 1983)]
{{UKmissiles}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sea Wolf (Missile)}}
[[Category:Close-in weapon systems]]
[[Category:Naval weapons of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Naval surface-to-air missiles]]
[[Category:British Aircraft Corporation]]
[[Category:Surface-to-air missiles of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1970s]]