Canada selects Sea Ceptor for the Canadian Surface Combatant

Canada selects Sea Ceptor for CSC
Artistic image of CSC (Credit: Royal Canadian Navy)

MBDA has been awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin Canada to equip the Royal Canadian Navy’s new Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) with the Sea Ceptor air defence weapon system, MBDA announced.

Utilising the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) as its effector, Sea Ceptor will undertake the Close-In Air Defence System (CIADS) role on-board the new CSC frigates.

Sea Ceptor provides exceptional self-defence performance, with a rapid response time and a high rate of fire to defeat multiple threats simultaneously. Its state-of-the-art Soft Vertical Launch (SVL) technology enables full 360° coverage with close range performance normally only associated with trainable launcher systems. Sea Ceptor will be integrated with Lockheed Martin Canada’s Combat Management System 330 (CMS 330) as part of a multi-tier air defence capability. The CAMM missiles will be quad packed in Lockheed Martin’s Extensible Launcher System (ExLS), which is part of the Mk41 family of vertical launcher systems.

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Image courtesy of Lockheed Martin and MBDA

MBDA’s role on CSC will create a positive impact on the Canadian defence industry and its supply chain through Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy. This contract will bring significant investment by MBDA in research and development to Canada across a wide range of technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cyber security and advanced materials. This investment will be made across small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), academia and other key industries across Canada, supporting high technology jobs. In addition, the CSC program will further strengthen the partnership between MBDA and Lockheed Martin Canada, which has already seen Sea Ceptor and CMS330 providing world-class air defence capabilities to the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Chilean Navy.

Éric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, said: “We are delighted to be awarded this contract and to play a part in contributing to such an important programme to Canada. Sea Ceptor delivers next-generation technology that will help protect the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy as they carry out their missions around the world on-board the advanced new CSC frigates.”

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Sea Ceptor (Credit: MBDA)

Sea Ceptor Missile:

Sea Ceptor is the next-generation, ship-based, all-weather, air defence weapon system.

Through the use of new advanced technologies, Sea Ceptor provides complete protection against all known and projected air targets. The weapon system is now in full-scale development for the UK MOD as the principal air defence capability for the Royal Navy’s Type 23 and Type 26 frigates.

Sea Ceptor will protect both the host ship and high value units in the local area. The Weapon System has the capability to intercept and thereby neutralise the full range of current and future threats including combat aircraft and the new generation of supersonic anti-ship missiles. Capable of multiple channels of fire, the system will also counter saturation attacks.

The weapon system can be easily retrofitted into a wide range of platforms, ranging from 50m OPVs to frigates and destroyers. Two main features provide this flexibility.

sea ceptor
sea ceptor

Firstly, the use of “soft-launch” weapon technology for a highly scaleable and compact launch system that can easily be installed in a number of locations. Secondly, Sea Ceptor can be targeted from the ship’s existing surveillance radar sensors and therefore does not require dedicated fire control radars.

Sea Ceptor will operate from the SYLVER and Mk41 launchers using a quad-pack configuration, various flexible canister configurations are also available. The Soft Vertical Launch technology reduces system mass and eases installation.

Key Data:

  • Weight: 99 kg
  • Length: 3.2 m
  • Diameter: 166 mm
  • Range: In excess of 25 km
  • Speed: Supersonic

The system;

  • Utilises the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM)
  • High rate of fire against multiple simultaneous targets
  • Soft vertical launch technology for minimum launch signature and high performance
  • Vertical launch enabling 360° coverage in all launch sectors
  • Compact missile allows for multiple weapons fit in limited spaces