Sea Skua

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The Sea Skua is a British lightweight short range Air-to-Surface missile (ASM) designed for the helicopter launched anti-shipping role. It is primarily used by the Royal Navy on the Lynx helicopter, although it can be ship launched and is in place as a shore battery and also on patrol boats in the Emirate of Kuwait.

With a weight at launch of only 320 lb (145 kg), the Lynx can carry up to four missiles simultaneously. The missile flies at high subsonic speed over ranges of 15.5 miles (25 km). It can be set to travel at one of four pre-selected heights, depending on the surface conditions. Near the target the altitude is raised to target acquisition height. The Sea Skua has semi-active radar guidance; the launching helicopter illuminates the target with its radar (originally the specially developed Ferranti Seaspray in the case of the Lynx), and the missile's homing head homes in on the reflected energy. On impact it penetrates the hull of a ship before detonating the 44 lb (20 kg) blast/fragmentation warhead. The Sea Skua is judged capable of sinking ships of approximately 1,000 tons displacement with a single shot, and can disable much larger vessels.

Service

As well as the United Kingdom, the Sea Skua has seen service with Germany, India and Turkey. It was launched 8 times during the Falklands War, sometimes in appalling weather conditions, scoring direct hits on every occasion. Four were used against the 800 ton patrol boat/rescue tug Alférez Sobral striking her on the bridge but not sinking her. They were also used to complete the destruction of the cargo ship Río Carcarañá (8,500 grt) and a patrol boat Río Iguazú. The missile was also launched 12 times during the Gulf War, also with a 100% hit rate.

Sea Skua

Service

See also