The Royal Navy has successfully conducted the final First of Class firing trials of the Sea Ceptor air defence system — completing the qualification firings of this new capability for the Royal Navy.

Following on from the first round of trials this summer, the second set of trials from HMS Argyll saw the system tested against more complex scenarios, including rapidly engaging multiple simultaneous threats.

With HMS Argyll having completed development testing of Sea Ceptor, the weapon system is now being rolled out to the Royal Navy’s other Type 23 Frigates. The first of a series of installation test firings has been successfully completed on HMS Westminster. Each Sea Ceptor platform will similarly complete an installation test firing in due course as they prepare to re-join frontline service after their refits.

Sea Ceptor offers a step-change in capability compared with legacy systems like Seawolf, which it is replacing in Royal Navy service. While Seawolf gave Royal Navy warships the capability to protect themselves, with Sea Ceptor the navy’s frigates will now also be able protect other vessels.

Sea Ceptor’s missile is called CAMM (Common Anti-air Modular Missile), featuring a powerful rocket motor that provides double the range of Sea Wolf and an active radar-seeker that allows the missile to engage targets without the need for complex target illuminators.

As part of the Portfolio system of co-operation between the UK Ministry of Defence and MBDA, CAMM is also being brought into service as the weapon element of the Land Ceptor system to replace the British Army’s Rapier ground-based air defence systems.