Janes
11 April 2006
Chile contracts for Seawolf Block 2
By Richard Scott Jane's Naval Consultant
Chile has become the first overseas customer for the Seawolf Block 2 point defence missile after concluding a contract with MBDA UK in February 2006.
The contract covers the supply of both conventional-launch and vertical-launch missile variants, plus training and handling equipment, to equip Almirante Williams, an ex-UK Royal Navy (RN) Type 22 Batch 2 frigate currently in service with the Armada de Chile, plus three ex-RN Type 23 frigates to be delivered between 2006 and 2008.
While the Block 2 missile's external dimensions mirror those of the earlier Block 1, the new missile has been designed to overcome obsolescence in many of the components present in the legacy missiles. Improvements include a new electronic actuation system to replace the former gas actuation system (resulting in improved missile rate control and agility) and a solid-state silicon gyro in the Inertial Measurement Unit.
Chile contracts for Seawolf Block 2
Moderador: Conselho de Moderação
