IAI and Thales UK are offering what they call a “next Generation ship-Killing solution” to the Royal Navy.

Sea Serpent has anti-ship and anti-surface attack capabilities at ranges “in excess of 200km”.

This is part of an effort on the UK’s part to purchase an interim surface-to-surface guided weapon to replace the Royal Navy’s existing Harpoon missile capability. The Ministry of Defence had last year notified bidders of its intention to purchase an interim anti-ship missile as current Harpoon stocks reach end of life and a replacement not being due until 2030, you can read more on the status of this project by following the link below.

Interim surface-to-surface missile negotiations to begin soon

Anyway, back to the missile. IAI say that SEA SERPENT delivers an “agile, highly penetrative, combined anti-ship and land attack capability at ranges significantly in excess of 200 km”.

“It deploys an innovative RF seeker head and a sophisticated data analysis and weapon control system to provide precise target detection, discrimination and classification. It overcomes both kinetic counter-fire and electronic countermeasures of increasing sophistication, so that the missile can locate and attack its target in littoral, open-ocean and overland environments. It is especially designed to prevail in contested, congested and confusing situations characterised by large numbers of decoys, disrupted reality and heavy electronic interference, as well as clutter from land and false returns. In fast-moving situations, SEA SERPENT incorporates mid-course updates from real-time ISTAR feeds and the ability to re-task in flight, especially in cooperative engagements and distributed sensor-and-shooter networks.”

According to IAI, as “the most advanced ship-launched anti-surface missile in the free world”, SEA SERPENT also offers significant ‘Military Off-the-Shelf Solution’ advantages in terms of cost, time-to-procurement, entry into operational service and risk reduction.

“Benchmarked against the need to defeat the most sophisticated platforms and technologies, SEA SERPENT has been developed in parallel with similar missile systems in service with the Israeli Navy and was selected to provide powerful strike capabilities for Finland’s SSM2020 programme. nThese systems are based on the heritage of the GABRIEL family of surface-to-surface missiles. SEA SERPENT has already demonstrated an impressive Next Day capacity to deal with emerging threats, as well as the technological flexibility for further growth and development.”

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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The Artist Formerly Known as Los Pollos Chicken
The Artist Formerly Known as Los Pollos Chicken
2 years ago

Looks good 👍🏻 Potentially the Barr’s IRN BRU of the anti ship missile killing world. If the RN are getting an interim missile then if it’s cheaper all round and is better than harpoon block II+ then it should be considered 👍🏻

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

AlexS
AlexS
2 years ago

I was quite surprised that Gabriel got ordered by Finland replacing the RBS-15

“Finland has selected Israel’s Advanced Naval Attack Missile to replace its current MTO85M system, a derivative of Swedish RBS15 that will reach the end of its life cycle in the 2020s. IAI’s Gabriel has beaten four other competitors evaluated by Finland’s MOD, including Kongsberg’s NSM, MBDA’s Exocet, Boeing’s Harpoon and Saab’s RBS15.”

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2019/12/finnish-navy-lifts-veil-on-its-future-anti-ship-missile-the-gabriel-v/

Another link
https://corporalfrisk.com/2018/07/16/a-further-look-at-the-gabriel-5/

Last edited 2 years ago by AlexS
The Artist Formerly Known as Los Pollos Chicken
The Artist Formerly Known as Los Pollos Chicken
2 years ago
Reply to  AlexS

Aye good info man 👍🏻

pete
pete
2 years ago

Would be interesting to understand the evaluation and selection ToR / Criteria.

Wonder how MOD will rate the Cost v Capability v Risk tensions.

No 1 is easy. Where would MOD place 2 v 3 v 4

  1. Lowest cost / Exceeds desired capabilities / Low risk install
  2. Acceptable cost / Exceeds desired capabilities / Low risk install
  3. Lowest cost / Meets desired capabilities / Low risk Install
  4. Acceptable Cost / Strongest capabilities / Low risk Install
  5. Lowest Cost / Covers most desired capabilities / Moderate install Risk
AlexS
AlexS
2 years ago
Reply to  pete

We all wish 🙂 , but it is obviously classified.

Billythefish
Billythefish
2 years ago

Who uses km as a unit of measure at sea or in the air?

Andrew
Andrew
2 years ago
Reply to  Billythefish

Pretty normal using metric units here in Australia…..

Billythefish
Billythefish
2 years ago
Reply to  Andrew

Not in the air or at sea it’s not.

David
David
2 years ago
Reply to  Billythefish

Ahem, correction… it’ knot.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
2 years ago
Reply to  Billythefish

km is the relevant SI unit.

Given the short life of the T23 I’m afraid that the quickest fix is Harpoon Block II+.

Risk with going in other directions is that by the time it is fitted you are too close to OoS dates to make it worth it!

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

But couldn’t they refit on newer vessels. It’s just the launching system and radars that need to be refitted or built new, the missiles are presumably only loaded to the ship when it goes to sea

TrevorH
TrevorH
2 years ago
Reply to  Billythefish

???

Billythefish
Billythefish
2 years ago
Reply to  Billythefish

feet, metres and knots all in the same paragraph – excellent!

Jonathan
Jonathan
2 years ago
Reply to  Billythefish

Its old school and how you drive a probe strait into a planet…..ask NASA.

geoff
geoff
2 years ago
Reply to  Billythefish

Ha Billy. Here in SA although we have been metricated for over 40 years we still order timber in for example 2 metres of 3 x2(inches)!! 🙂

Mike O
Mike O
2 years ago
Reply to  Billythefish

200+ km looks better in writing than 100+ Nm. Seems to be standard on promotional materials.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
2 years ago
Reply to  Mike O

The range is actually qouted at DSEI 2021 as 290+kms. So much further than Harpoon and NSM and with its ability for cooperative engagement, data sharing, mid course retasking, land attack and terminal phase evasive maneuvers as well as a reoorted counter measures deployment capability coming up, i think this system would be a great fit for type 45s, type 31, type 26 and retrofitted onto type 23s before they leave service. Giving the RN much needed and hard hitting stand off offensive firepower against even the largest surface combatants. If we can get 150+ missiles in container form they… Read more »

Mike O
Mike O
2 years ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

I imagine that with type 32 we will see some more details of the PODs concept. By the sound of it that will contain missiles in containers. Possibly allowing the same missiles to be land or sea based. That would open up some interesting options for commanders. This is just speculation of course but I am sure that it is feasible.

captain p wash
captain p wash
2 years ago

Slightly confused by the last sentence, “Next Day Capacity” is it like a 24 hour delivery service ?

john melling
john melling
2 years ago
Reply to  captain p wash

Haha no It just means to counter new emerging threats

Last edited 2 years ago by john melling
Jonathan
Jonathan
2 years ago
Reply to  captain p wash

Come on everyone knows the MOD invested in Amazon Prime…keep up.

captain p wash
captain p wash
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonathan

lol…… as long as they don’t use Hermes !!

john melling
john melling
2 years ago
Reply to  captain p wash

Worse delivery service ever !

captain p wash
captain p wash
2 years ago
Reply to  john melling

They would be rather pleased with a 24 hour delivery though….. even if the intended destination was missed.

Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  captain p wash

Sounds too much like My Herpes. Quite apt as it is from the Greek word Herpein….’to creep or to crawl’!

Captain P Wash
Captain P Wash
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

I hope your Herpes can be Treated mate……..

TrevorH
TrevorH
2 years ago

A good way to troll the Left.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
2 years ago
Reply to  TrevorH

It is easily done to be fair. Spike NLOS works well enough. The British Army tried to keep their procurement quiet for just that reason I believe. I recall it only came out after some journalists film showed it in use by or forces?

Ian M.
Ian M.
2 years ago

“Exactor” was a closely guarded secret in Afghanistan.

John Hartley
John Hartley
2 years ago

Please can we put Spike NLOS on AAC Wildcat, (as the S Koreans have done on their Wildcat).

Andrew
Andrew
2 years ago
Reply to  TrevorH

Yet its right wing tories that have caused this problem in the first place.

Any missile is better than nothing.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
2 years ago
Reply to  Andrew

I would disagree with “any missile is better than nothing” Many weeks were spent on isolated ranges in the 80’s and 90’s witnessing that some missiles are a lot better than others. And that some missiles are totally and utterly useless. The ‘something is better than nothing’ was the fig leaf that caused six ships sunk in ‘82 and good men dead. You don’t send ships to war armed with obsolete rubbish like Sea Cat and Sea Slug and then express surprise that it didn’t work out too well. Everyone was looking for a quick fix: can you put Rapier… Read more »

Fred
Fred
2 years ago

Wow, thanks Israel, the spec. and £cost of this are excellent.
Could not see if there is a VLS version, but who cares…
BUY THEM!

Rob
Rob
2 years ago

Looks a very impressive solution and relatively cheap too. In fact so good it may not be an interim procurement. Just interested in the size of the warhead, anyone? Also being bolt on canisters (which T23, T45, T26 & T31 all have room for) it leaves the VLS empty for Tomahawk.

john melling
john melling
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

Cant seem to find a warhead size but here’s more info from the Finnish Gabriel 5 version they bought

Range: over 200 km
Seeker: Active radar seeker with advanced anti-jam features, all-weather capability, wide search range and good discrimination resolution
Warhead: Penetrating warhead
Engine: Jet engine
Navigation: GPS / INS, multiple waypoints
Length: 5.5 m
Weight: 1250 kg
Speed: Subsonic
Manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, IAI

john melling
john melling
2 years ago
Reply to  john melling

A very wild guess would be about 240kg HE semi-armor piercing warhead

Last edited 2 years ago by john melling
Rob
Rob
2 years ago
Reply to  john melling

Thanks

Frank62
Frank62
2 years ago
Reply to  john melling

Wiki says 240kg/530lb for Gabriel mk iv warhead.

I’d prefer the NSM but wasn’t even aware this was a contender.

Last edited 2 years ago by Frank62
Fedaykin
Fedaykin
2 years ago

Almost a drop in replacement for Harpoon, a Gabriel V quad canister is designed to drop into the same space as a Harpoon quad canister and is a direct replacement for Harpoon on the Israeli Sa’ar V class Corvette.

The system is retargetable after launch which is a highly desirable capability for the RN and MOD considering the risks involved firing heavy AShM in congested waters with Civilian traffic. It would also give an instant long distance precision land attack capability to the RN surface fleet.

Challenger
Challenger
2 years ago

Has there been any recent reference to the procurement being 5 sets?

I’m hoping the plan is to upgrade the 5 youngest T23 with a relatively cheap box launched missile in the Harpoon block II or NSM ballpark which can then be migrated onto T31 with the T26 getting a proper heavyweight, dual mode cruise missile (Perseus) to stock the Mk41.

john melling
john melling
2 years ago

If its about the same Israeli version as the one Finnish designated the FSSM2020, then things are interesting as the Fins selected it rather than other missiles tested – Kongsberg’s NSM, MBDA’s Exocet, Boeing’s Harpoon and Saab’s RBS15.

James
James
2 years ago

No thanks to apartheid state missiles!
A country that host the world largest open air prison called Gaza that target practices on children condemned by every human rights organisation on the planet .Normalising Israel is supporting that apartheid state. Our navy should not buy much foreign weapons to start of with, let alone buy Israeli out of all countries

Last edited 2 years ago by James
Jan van der Werk
Jan van der Werk
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Oh look. Instead of a discussion on a missile we have a liberal bedwetter.
And shades of antisemitism too….

Order of the Ditch
Order of the Ditch
2 years ago

He isn’t a liberal with that viewpoint.

Jan van der Werk
Jan van der Werk
2 years ago

Liberal, socialist, bed wetter. All the same to me. These people have selective agendas notice?
Deny Scots, Irish etc a route to self determination, criticise any country that does not take stuff lying down.
Sort of Sleepy Joe stuff but on a micro level.

Herodotus
2 years ago

What an ignorant fool!

Karl
Karl
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

Hey I just read this usually but you win that prize hands down!

Captain P Wash
Captain P Wash
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

We can’t all be clever Feckers !

David
David
2 years ago

Well said sir!

Jan van der Werk
Jan van der Werk
2 years ago
Reply to  David

Thanks David, I love it when anti Israeli trolls show their true colours, also their ignorance as to real politik.

Pete
Pete
2 years ago

Interesting you endeavour to confuse antisemitism with opinion on behaviour of a hard line political regime. They are not the same. Maybe it doesn’t translate that well from Russian ?

Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  Pete

I swear he is a Liverpudlian!

pete
pete
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

lol

Jan van der Werk
Jan van der Werk
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

Look, the inhouse stalker.

Herodotus
2 years ago

You should know chum!

Captain P Wash
Captain P Wash
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

Some might argue that mate.

Jan van der Werk
Jan van der Werk
2 years ago
Reply to  Pete

Confused? No, just hate racism.

Pete
Pete
2 years ago

Exactly….so the potential racist policies of a government, resulting in people being critical of that government has got nothing to do with the religious make up of that government. I may not be a fan of the current Myanmar regime or Venezuelan government but that does not mean I am anti budhist or anto catholic. ….so yes…your post was confused. Have a great day.

AlexS
AlexS
2 years ago
Reply to  Pete

Racist are the policies of those you defend, you just have to Palestinian TV and radio.

Pete
Pete
2 years ago
Reply to  AlexS

?. Go back to original commentary. At no point have I defended the Palestinians. I simply made comment that just because you don’t like a particular govt doesn’t mean you are anti the religion of that government…it’s not a difficult concept. Likewise there are many entities and organisations that are Muslim that I detest… but I’ve also happily lived in a number of western, Buddhist and Muslim countries over past 25 years. Nothing against the Muslim faith but ideological extremism in all religions is.IMHO, a dangerous concept…and people trying to exploit religious differences as our Russian troll friend did is… Read more »

James
James
2 years ago

What has anti semitism to do with a Nethanyahu regime many Israelis are against ? With endless corruption! Tune into Israeli media and see how much the regime is disliked besides of being indicted of war crimes by the International Criminal Court. Doing crimes and hiding behind anti semitism just works not anymore on the masses when they see target practice on children videos by laughing Israeli soldiers . Sorry I don’t share those values nor does our military if you get excited by targeting of children. British interest first before Israeli coercion . We won’t fight their wars

Jan van der Werk
Jan van der Werk
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Guess you side with Corbyn and his crew? “Our” military, and “our” intel works with Israel regularly, as do most Nato countries. We recently agreed a mutual aid arrangement on counter terrorism.
You appear to confuse reality with emotional prejudice.
Against Netanyahu? Many are against the UK government, so fatuous observation as it is called difference of opinion.
One last word, Holocaust, yes that old chestnut forgotten by so many.
Their war is our war, its called terrorism.
Ignore that and you are just a fool.

David Flandry
David Flandry
2 years ago
Reply to  James

The UK has never had to fight Israel’s wars. BTW, you have any idea how many children, old people, and other innocents were killed in World War Two by the Allies?

Karl
Karl
2 years ago

They come out of the woodwork matey, mention Israel and off they zoom lol!

SCO
SCO
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Okay, we’ll buy them LRASMs from those lovely, non-racist Americans. Or new generation Exocets from France, that bastion of tolerance for Islam. We could go Japanese, they’re so keen on dealing out death that they still use firing squads for criminals.Kongsberg’s NSM sounds good, lovely people them Norwegians (though don’t ask them about child protection and welfare, they won’t tell you anything under a cold sweat). Or like you said, we make them ourselves, because I’m sure we can McGuiver up something at a reasonable price, and it’s not like we’ll ever do anything controversial with or without them. Did… Read more »

Jonathan
Jonathan
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Just checking but have you stopped buying anything made in China, or made by child labour in any of a number of nations ? Dont get me wrong I’m all for principle. But they have never really applied in geopolitics or economics ( even on a personal level). Israel has a very imperfect government at present which has made some less than pleasant decisions. But then all governments in that region are less than pleasant when you get down to it. Even n our own neck of the woods. Look back at the actions of any number of western liberal… Read more »

Jacko
Jacko
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Oh dear! Lovely rant now back to reality please.

Matt C
Matt C
2 years ago
Reply to  James

That’s right, because Hamas et al are such lovely law-abiding feminist chaps to fight for, amirite?

Airborne
Airborne
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Oh dear, how sad, never mind.

AlexS
AlexS
2 years ago
Reply to  James

There is nothing liberal about James, he supports Hamas who supports genocide of Israeli Jews.
Hamas defends Israel destruction, Hitler did not even defended the destruction of Britain…
For comparison proposes i would like to think what James thinks about German occupation by Allies…

James
James
2 years ago
Reply to  AlexS

I think this pro Israel loonatic comments you are making just don’t wash with British people anymore nor with much of the world even most Israelis this days are sick of the regime there. Nobody can defend the crimes by Israel who has any sanity and humanity in themselves . Imprisonment of an entire population . With lockdowns alone most us saw how much it hurt people. Imagine Lockdown for decades, plus daily killings and economic embargo, even pasta can’t be imported in Gaza as it’s considered by Israel luxury food. Of course extremist would exploit people’s plight if they… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by James
Rogbob
Rogbob
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Given the sheer incompetent hatred that defines Israel’s opposition, I think actually thet most if not nearly all, people just dont care. As far as all but sychophantic fans of either side are concerned, both sides can just sit there and hate, maim, indimidate, oppress and kill each other as long as they want and “good luck to the winner”. Hence why nobody really cares if we do trade/buy stuff from them where that is of advantage to ourselves, noting Hamas et al, and their historical forebears, never actually created anything of value we’d want to trade with or buy.… Read more »

AlexS
AlexS
2 years ago
Reply to  James

It is Israel that is defending Palestinian lives. It is Israeli that does protected their civilian with warnings and active defense. If they did not protected their civilians they had many more reasons to attack Palestinians. And the inverse is precisely the Palestinian tactic that you support. Never protect our own because for any of our deaths we get political capital. That tell me about you: you don’t care about Palestinians. It is just hate against Israel. In Israel you have a political system that is rewarded by the less own victims. In Palestine you have a political system that… Read more »

expat
expat
2 years ago
Reply to  James

1) We should buy the best stand in weapon that will protect British Service men end of.
2)Israel participates in the F35 supply chain so they are already a supplier and impossible to remove.
3) We have a long term replacement coming from MBDA.

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
2 years ago

One cannot but admire Israeli spunk, and Gabriel has a fine lineage. Still, I can recall reading an intel book where our security services were addressing efforts to counter potential foes’ military intellectual property theft. Just below that in terms of effort where two allies or all but – France and Israel. Not that they’d do that now, of course!

Jan van der Werk
Jan van der Werk
2 years ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

Thank you Gavin you made me smile.
Who would have thought spooks would do such deeds?
France l would not trust an inch.
Israel? Given the history and the ongoing prejudice against that people I can understand Mossad.
Regards

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
2 years ago

Yeh, agree. For all that, granted, version V does look competent.

James
James
2 years ago

Given history? Why are they spying on the UK as you admit that we did to them to justify their spying activity ?? The FBI arrested many times Israeli spies who steal technology specially. It’s not a surprisee that Israeli PM boast about how Israel leads in cyper security sector, second to the US he claims despite its size. Many of the big companies transfer tech to Israel just as they did with China but even worse. Israel actively shares western tech with China with Huawei having investment worth over 14 billion in Israel , and a Chinese company operating… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by James
Jan van der Werk
Jan van der Werk
2 years ago
Reply to  James

You are confused about the real world eh? Did you know we Boks had the bomb once? Yeah, we worked with Israel on it. The only country who had any balls to stand by us in a war against communism.
History boet is a fact, Israel is about survival at any cost. How do you see Iran with a bomb? I know what I see. Not that it will ever happen of course.
FYI, a liberal is one who bed wets at realpolitik.

Herodotus
2 years ago

We 🤣😂🤣🤪

Jonathan
Jonathan
2 years ago

I think I’d like to understand what you mean by “liberal” as you seem to be equating it with “weak”. Considering it was “”liberal” western democracies that destroyed: Japanese militarism, the Third Reich, kingdom of Italy and the USSR. With liberal democracies being the dominant political system on our planet I would say “Liberal” has not done badly for an idea that’s only really around 150ish years old. The “Weak” liberal democracies have ground every political system that ever challenged it into the dirt of history. I’m afraid that you are as mistaken as the present bunch of authoritarian leads… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Jonathan
Derek
Derek
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonathan

Three words – Racist, Nazi, Liberal – all rendered devoid of real meaning and now irrelevant to debate through constant misuse.

AlexS
AlexS
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Everyone spies on everyone else. If Chinese invents ” cold fusion” or anything else i certainly hope there is someone here that can get it.

Jonathan
Jonathan
2 years ago
Reply to  AlexS

Now cold fusion, there is blast from the past and a very dirty word, scientifically. But there are still some who try and push forward, it’s got a number of different names now, but is not a respectable area of research. You have to wonder if a bit of dodgy research early on has covered over some possibles…. unfortunately now it’s all it bit tin foil hat.

AlexS
AlexS
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonathan

Hehe, I just put it as a Tech Holy Grail of sorts. 🙂

Joe16
Joe16
2 years ago

So a Gabriel IV or V then, without the overtly Israeli name? Also kind of gels with the Sea Viper and Sea Venom missile systems we already have. At 960 kg, 240 kg warhead, 4.7 m L x 440 mm dia. it’s definitely towards the heavyweight AShM end of the scale, with a 200-400 km range. If the price is right, then I’d be OK with that, but I’m not sure how much better it is than Harpoon Block II. I guess it’s all about the software. To be honest though, aside from LRASM, I’d be happy with any of… Read more »

Jan van der Werk
Jan van der Werk
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe16

If it works buy it.

Joe16
Joe16
2 years ago

Agreed, although I would add in smallprint: select the option that balances capability and cost so that we don’t scupper the slow rebuilding of naval capability the RN has been largely succeeding at- despite the odds.
If it’s cheap enough, and does the job, I’m happy.

Jan van der Werk
Jan van der Werk
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe16

I read a theoretical discussion about Cummings departure awhile ago.
Seems the knives were out from senior military, civil servants and industry because the guy was talking sense about procurement.
Never underestimate the lobbyist.

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
2 years ago

‘Theoretical’ interesting take on whether Cummings was talking sense or not. After all there are any number of theories on the way to an eventual truth… if one ever provenly gets there.

Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  Spyinthesky

Indeed…some journalists have speculated that Mrs Boris was a major factor. Cummings was quite nasty about her!

Rob
Rob
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe16

Sea Serpent has half the warhead of Harpoon or LRASM.

Joe16
Joe16
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

If Sea Serpent is Gabriel IV, then Wikipedia says it’s a 240 kg warhead, which is about 20 kg heavier than Harpoon. LRASM is a 450 kg warhead, so definitely in a bigger weight class. That’s all off Wikipedia, but they’re generally OK for the basic info like that.

AlexS
AlexS
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

Finland (Gabriel V supposedly) officially says the missile weights 1250kg so it is a heavy one.
It should have an heavier warhead than Harpoon.

Last edited 2 years ago by AlexS
Paul42
Paul42
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe16

LRASM has already been successfully cannister launched and can also be integrated on to F35B and P8 Posiedon.it provides the best all round solution to all our requirements. There are some pretty impressive claims being made by the IAI about Sea Serpent, but I would be surprised if it is better than LRASM.

Joe16
Joe16
2 years ago
Reply to  Paul42

I’d agree that it’s unlikely to be better than LRASM, it’s not stealthy for a start. It’s also in a smaller weight class. While I know that they’ve carried out feasibiilty testing on surface launch from Mk41 and canisters, LM are not actively offering these options to anyone- only that they’re reducing the risks in preparation for the upcoming OASuW increment II competition. I believe they used a modified ASROC booster rocket to get it off the deck and a modified TLAM guidance control package to launch- that’s all kinds of ad hoc testing that wouldn’t cut it for a… Read more »

Paul42
Paul42
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe16

Further cannister launches have been completed, but as of yet no one has ordered it. The US is looking to integrate on F35 and P8. The initial requirement was for a stop gap missile, but now clearly states ‘Next Generation’. Neither Sea serpent or Harpoon block 2 fall into that category. Its going to be interesting and I sincerely wonder if we’re are still seriously contemplating a purchase in 2030 bearing in mind we coukd purchase LRASM and Tomahawk.

AlexS
AlexS
2 years ago
Reply to  Paul42

LRASM is a sort of anti ship ARM missile with a fuzy guidance. It does not have a radar. So it is possible to be a step too far.

Last edited 2 years ago by AlexS
Ian
Ian
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe16

It’s being partnered by Thales, I wonder if it can be manufactured by Thales Shorts plant in NI. Gets around the controversy of a Israeli weapons system( like watchkeeper) also no ITAR and provides workshare in the UK.

Joe16
Joe16
2 years ago
Reply to  Ian

I like that kind of thinking! I’m all for that, especially bringing workshare to parts of the UK that have been neglected for too long. There is a very strong link between social unrest and financial deprivation- bringing in new jobs to NI may not fix the recent upsurge in violence that we’ve seen, but it will go some way towards helping.

Pacman27
Pacman27
2 years ago

apologies all

how much does this cost? I must be going blind as I can’t see the cost in article but comments state it is inexpensive for what it is?

dan
dan
2 years ago

Just get the NSM.

AlexS
AlexS
2 years ago
Reply to  dan

NSM lost Finish competition to this one. But might depend on requirements.

Bringer of Facts
Bringer of Facts
2 years ago

Subsonic ? Supersonic ? warhead weight ? ….what are the advantages over harpoon block II ?

john melling
john melling
2 years ago

Range: over 200 km
Seeker: Active radar seeker with advanced anti-jam features, all-weather capability, wide search range and good discrimination resolution
Warhead: Penetrating warhead
Engine: Jet engine
Navigation: GPS / INS, multiple waypoints
Length: 5.5 m
Weight: 1250 kg
Speed: Subsonic
Manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, IAI

Phil Tidy
Phil Tidy
2 years ago

Based on previous experience we’ll spend 2 years “discussing” it, decide we want a “British” version will treble the price and end up buying 12.

dan
dan
2 years ago

Not stealthy or supersonic. Probably designed to be used in and around the Med/Persian Gulf area and not the North Atlantic or Pacific areas. Would think the NSM would be a better choice.

Last edited 2 years ago by dan
Karl
Karl
2 years ago

Is it just the type 23’s getting the interim missile? What about the type 45’s?

Pete
Pete
2 years ago

Interesting that the tweat claimed its the best offering in the free world. Implies the Russians have better.

OldSchool
OldSchool
2 years ago

Definitely worth the RN having a look at Serpent. My guess is that it or NSM are the best contenders although Harpoon2 may come in as the simplest upgrade and there is always price, fitting and logistics etc to consider.

Captain P Wash
Captain P Wash
2 years ago

If they made a Shoulder Launched Version we could carry them on the Rivers too…… I know, It’s such a brilliant Idea !!!!

Jonathan
Jonathan
2 years ago
Reply to  Captain P Wash

And Eco and Enterprise and even Gleaner, they could in time of need reclassify Gleaner as a slow attack craft.

Captain P Wash
Captain P Wash
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonathan

Well yes but, she could certainly punch above her weight !

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonathan

LOL. Being picky but it is Magpie now! 🙂

Jonathan
Jonathan
2 years ago

Smarty pants. 😆😆

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonathan

Lol sorry couldn’t resist. 🤣

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
2 years ago
Reply to  Captain P Wash

Cap you make me laugh. The Rivers 1 and 2 are all large enough for substantial upgrades. As you know, they are corvette sized vessels.
A Saar2 type corvette would serve the RN very usefully. Im thinking ASW optimized with bow sonar, UAVs, Torpedoes and a Helo. Plus Sea ceptor, cannister launched Serpent/ Harpoon2, NSM and a BAE 56mm gun. Job done. Got to be able to buy 5-6 of those for the cost of a single type 26 undergunned behmoth.

Craig
Craig
2 years ago

Considering Israel’s human rights record and illegal occupation of the West Bank no Israeli weapons should be considered under any circumstances. Buying their weapons supports their behaviour.

Andrew D
2 years ago

All about range and punch, or down to money .🤔

Oleg Olkha
Oleg Olkha
2 years ago

Gabriel-5:1250kg. Engine- “SOREK-4″(Israel), thrust-367 kgf. Tomahawk: 1310kg engine- f(F107) thrust-272/318 kgf. “Мore than 200 km.”- ha-ha… Аccording to some reports from Russia, with a nuclear warhead (200 kg. 150/200 kiloton)- 1000 km. minimum.

Oleg Olkha
Oleg Olkha
2 years ago
Reply to  Oleg Olkha
Addition: https://www.iai.co.il/p/sea-serpent Grapfics.