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| Seaslug | |
|---|---|
&sq=engine&lang=en&file=File:Sea_Slug_missile.png) 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 |
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Seaslug was a first-generation surface-to-air missile designed by Armstrong Whitworth (later part of the Hawker Siddeley group) for use by the Royal Navy. Tracing its history as far back as 1943's LOPGAP design, it came into operational service in 1961 and was still in use at the time of the Falklands War in 1982.
Seaslug was intended to engage high-flying targets such as reconnaissance aircraft or bombers before they could launch stand-off weapons. It was only fitted to the Royal Navy's eight County-class destroyers which were designed around the missile system. Seaslug was only fired in anger once as an anti-aircraft missile, from HMS Antrim during the Falklands War, but missed its target. Later improvements meant that it could also be used against ships and ground targets.
It was planned that Seaslug's medium-range role was to be supplanted by a very long-range missile known as Blue Envoy, but this was passed over in favour of a new medium-range system, Sea Dart. Sea Dart entered service in 1973 on the Type 82 destroyers and replaced Seaslug during the 1980s as the County-class destroyers were removed from service.