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GWS-25 Sea Wolf


Conventionally Launched Sea Wolf


Overview


GWS-25 Sea Wolf

Sea Wolf missile seen upon launch.
Source: Royal Navy - © Crown copyright

Origin
United Kingdom
Type
Naval SAM system
Entered service
1979
Status
Obsolete
Development
1967 - 1977
Developer
United Kingdom - British Aircraft Corporation
Production
1977 - ?
Producer
United Kingdom - BAe Dynamics
Number produced
2.543 Sea Wolf CLSW missiles
Designations
CLWS / Conventionally Launched Sea Wolf
Notable users
United Kingdom
Brazil
Chile

System composition


Sea Wolf missile

The Sea Wolf missile uses active command to line of sight guidance. It has four larger swept wings in the center and four control surfaces near the muzzle of the solid propellant rocket motor. In 2005 a Block 2 missile was introduced which uses some internal components from the ASRAAM missile.

Sextuple launcher

GWS-25 Sea Wolf uses a sextuple launcher. The launcher is unmanned and slewed onto target by the firing computer. Additional missiles are stored in transport containers below deck. Reloading is done by hand.

Type 910 tracker

Early model tracker fitted with an I-band radar. Since this radar type has difficulties with ground clutter a secondary TV guidance mode is added. This has the operator guiding the missile by centering the camera on the target.

Type 911 tracker

Improved tracker using two types of radar. An I-band radar for longer range and higher altitude targets. A K-band radar is intoduced for sea skimming targets. The TV system is retained for observing targets. The manual TV guidance option is no longer available.

Details


Facts Sea Wolf (CLSW)
General
Origin
United Kingdom
Type
Surface to air missile
Dimensions
Length
1.9 m
Diameter
0.18 m
Wingspan
0.55 m
Weight
82 kg
Guidance
Guidance mode
Automatic Command to Line of Sight
Radio command guidance
Warhead
Type
High explosive fragmentation
Weight
14 kg
Fuse
Proximity
Engagement envelope
Propulsion
Blackcap solid propellant rocket motor
Speed
Mach 2
Range
6 km maximum
1 km minimum
Altitude
3 km maximum
10 m minimum

Media


Related articles


GWS-26 Sea Wolf

The GWS-26 Vertical Launch Sea Wolf is the successor of the GWS-25.