Sub Martel was a modification of the already-in-service Matra Martel air-to-ground missile but compared to the already-in-service Harpoon, would require significant development funding.Īlthough Exocet was in service with both the UK and France, a submarine-launched development project was not considered for UGSW. The Royal Navy had a requirement for a submarine-launched anti-ship missile for the Under Surface Guided Weapon (UGSW) requirement.Ĭhoices were a new development from Hawker Siddeley, designated CR137, the McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Harpoon and an Anglo-French development called Sub Martel. The initial requirement called for a surface, air and sub-surface launched variant of the same missile, and all three entered service in 1977. In July 1971, McDonnell Douglas won a development contract and, in May 1973, the US Navy selected Harpoon. The US Navy began initial concept studies for an anti-ship missile system in 1965. It is currently fitted to the Type 23 Frigate and Type 45 Destroyer.ĭevelopment of the Harpoon missile for the US Navy goes back to the mid-sixties as a counter to surfaced submarines but for the Royal Navy, it first came into service as a submarine-launched weapon in the mid-seventies. Cruising at Mach 0.9 and carrying a large high explosive warhead it is powered by a lightweight turbojet, but is accelerated at launch by a booster rocket.
Harpoon uses a combination of inertial guidance and active radar homing to attack it’s prey. Fitted to all Type 23 Frigates the Harpoon is a sophisticated anti-ship missile capable of striking targets more than 80 miles away. Harpoon is the long range lance of the Type 23 Frigate, capable of destroying enemy ships far beyond the horizon. The Harpoon surface-to-surface missile was described by the Royal Navy as
It is due to be replaced with the Interim Surface to-Surface Guided Weapon System (I-SSGW) and Future Cruise and Anti-Ship Weapon (FCASW) in due course The RGM-84 Harpoon is a ship-launched, all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile that is carried by Royal Navy Type 23 and Type 45 vessels. Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM.Martlet ( Lightweight Multirole Missile).
Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS).ASTER Surface to Air Missile (Sea Viper).Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM).
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