UK Navy Tests Anti-Supersonic Missiles Air Defense System

Local Editor

The British Royal Navy carried out the first tests of its new generation air missile defense system - capable of intercepting and destroying enemy missiles traveling at supersonic speeds.

The Sea Ceptor missiles, developed by MBDA Missile Systems, were successfully fired from HMS Argyll off the coast of Scotland, the British Ministry of Defense announced.

The new system is being fitted to replace the Sea Wolf weapon system on Type 23 frigates and uses UK-developed missiles capable of reaching up to three times the speed of sound.

It will be able to deal with multiple targets at the same time while protecting an area of around 500 square miles over land or sea.

The trials took place over two weeks on the Hebrides ranges and utilized MBDA's next-generation Common Anti-air Modular Missile [CAMM]. Defense Minister Harriett Baldwin said the Sea Ceptor will protect Britain's interests against threats both known and unknown.

HMS Argyll will conduct further firing trials of the Sea Ceptor's system before it is deployed to Japan next year.

North Korea has previously warned Britain that it faces "a miserable end" if it joins the US and South Korea in military drills.

"We solemnly warn not only the US and puppet group, but also satellites, including the UK and Australia, which are taking advantage of the present war maneuvers against the north, that they would face a miserable end if they join in play with fire by tiger moths of war," Pyongyang said in a statement.

As tensions over North Korea flared up, the US conducted a test of Raytheon SM-6 missile that successfully intercepted a target medium-range ballistic missile launched from guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones [DDG-53] late August.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team