Navy unveils new missile capable of destroying enemy weapons at THREE times the speed of sound
Emily Allen
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The Sea Ceptor can protect a 500sq mile area of land or sea
- The five year £483m project is expected to create 500 jobs
The Royal Navy has revealed details of a new air defence system capable of destroying enemy missiles travelling at supersonic speeds.
Sea Ceptor missiles fired from Navy warships will reach speeds of up to Mach 3 and can protect an area of around 500 sq miles over land or sea.
The £483 million contract to develop the cutting-edge missile defence system has been awarded to MBDA (UK).
Speedy: A computer generated image of the Royal Navy’s new Sea Ceptor missiles which can reach speeds of up to Mach 3 and can protect an area of around 500 sq miles over land or sea
The Ministry of Defence said the five-year project would sustain around 500 jobs in MBDA and its supply chain in facilities across the UK including at Stevenage in Hertfordshire, Filton in South Gloucestershire and Lostock in Bolton.
Sea Ceptor will initially be used on the Navy’s Type 23 frigates, but in the future it could be adapted for use by the Army and RAFThe head of the Navy, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, added: ‘This new weapon system will equip our frigates to deal with the type of sophisticated missile threat expected in the coming decades.
‘Investment in advanced defence technology, such as Sea Ceptor, is vital to ensure the Royal Navy’s continued ability to defend the UK’s interests wherever necessary.’