Royal Navy’s Sea Venom light anti-ship missile full operating capability delayed until 2026
In a Parliamentary answer, it was revealed this week that the RN’s Wildcat helicopter will not be certified to launch the Sea Venom missile until 2026.
Weapon Systems
Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates to be fitted with Mk41 vertical launch system
Speaking today at the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference, Admiral Sir Ben Key, confirmed the Type 31 Inspiration Class frigates will be equipped with the Mk41 VLS.
In focus: the 50 cal heavy machine gun in Royal Navy service
In this article, Christopher Dwulet, author and editor for Ammo.com looks at the 50-calibre gun in use by the RN from the 50 Vickers and up to the 50 Browning Machine Gun still in use today.More
Royal Navy to buy the Naval Strike Missile
While meeting with his Norwegian counterpart on board HMS Queen Elizabeth in Oslo today, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has finally confirmed the RN will purchase the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) to fulfil the interim anti-ship missile requirement.
The Kingfisher gun-launched anti-submarine munition
In development since 2018, the Kingfisher munition is a novel and low-cost solution for warships developed by BAE Systems to counter underwater threats, particularly proliferating UUVs. Here we look at this weapon in detail and consider its potential selection by the Royal Navy.
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Royal Navy upgrades its passive decoy launchers
In this article, we look at the RN’s aspirations to improve its soft-kill countermeasures for defence against anti-ship missiles.
In focus: the 127mm Mk 45 gun that will equip the Type 26 frigates
When the first Type 26 frigate becomes operational it will introduce another gun type to Royal Navy service. BAE Systems’ renowned Mk 45 127mm (5-inch) gun is already proven with navies worldwide and will be a considerable upgrade on the existing medium calibre gun. Here we look at this weapon in detail.
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Royal Navy changes course on interim anti-ship missile for a second time
The acquisition of anti-ship missiles for the RN took another twist yesterday when it was revealed that the project to procure the weapons has been resurrected after it was cancelled in November 2021. A wide-ranging and unusually candid Commons Defence Select Committee hearing on 5th July also covered a range of UK shipbuilding and procurement issues.
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Solving the Royal Navy’s lethality problems
There is a growing concern about the RN surface fleet’s lack of offensive power. Here we look at what might be done to remedy the situation in the medium-long term.