Royal Navy's Seawolf Missiles Life Cycle Extended Through at Least 2017

Released on Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Chelmsford, United Kingdom - BAE Systems has been awarded a £141m contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to maintain the Seawolf air defence system on board the Royal Navy's. Type 22 and Type 23 Frigates.

The SWISS (Seawolf In Service Support) Contract for Availability (CfA), alongside a complementary contract awarded to the missile systems company MBDA, will sustain the capability of the Seawolf system and ensure its readiness and availability until the end of 2017.

The Seawolf system is a fully automatic, all weather, day and night, naval point defence missile system designed to protect surface ships from airborne attack.

Guy Griffiths managing director, BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies said "This long term support solution provides improved availability and continuous improvement through more proactive and flexible support arrangements delivered directly to the ship and cost savings of over £40M to the Royal Navy over the life-time of the contract."

BAE Systems has been providing in service support for the Seawolf radars and command and control systems since 1979. BAE Systems are now also responsible for refit activities which enable further optimisation of the support solution through the life of the product.

In co-operation with MBDA, BAE Systems will ensure that the performance of the Seawolf system, as measured by successful in service firings, is maintained throughout the duration of the contract.

SWISS will also provide support to the Seawolf Mid Life Update (SWMLU) variant. The equipment for HMS Sutherland, the Type 23 SWMLU First of Class ship has been converted and installed onto the ship.