Successful test of Sea Ceptor missiles to protect new UK aircraft carriers

The first firings of the UK’s new Sea Ceptor air defence system have been successfully conducted from the Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll whilst off the coast of Scotland.

The new air missile defence system can intercept and destroy enemy missiles travelling at supersonic speeds and will form part of the protection for the nation’s new aircraft carriers.

Sea Ceptor, which uses MBDA’s next-generation “common anti-air modular missile” (CAMM), is being fitted to replace the Sea Wolf weapon system on the Type 23 frigates. The air defence system will also be used on the new Type 26 frigates and Land Ceptor, which will replace Rapier for the British Army.

The system uses a new UK-developed missile capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 3 and will have the ability to deal with multiple targets simultaneously, protecting an area of around 1,300 square kilometres over land or sea.