Q&A ยท 3:34:54-3:50:00

Replacing Sea Slug with Sea Wolf or Sea Dart

The panel treats Sea Slug as obsolete by 1982 and weighs whether County-class destroyers would gain more from Sea Wolf or Sea Dart.

Question

Could Sea Slug have done better in 1982, and what should have replaced it on the County class?

Short answer

Sea Slug was obsolete; Sea Dart might suit some ships, but Sea Wolf would provide a more practical and valuable close-defense conversion for much of the class.

Notes

Sea Slug's Falklands use included an unsuccessful shot at a low-flying aircraft and improvised attacks on shore targets whose effects were unconfirmed. The initial answer calls the missile obsolete, while the later discussion distinguishes County-class ships carrying Mark 1 and Mark 2 systems. Sea Dart is considered a plausible choice for Mark 2 ships; Sea Wolf is preferred for older ships after considering their age and available space. Sea Wolf would give up range but add useful close air defense and a deep magazine in the space occupied by Sea Slug. Retaining the twin 4.5-inch guns would preserve a useful gun armament alongside the replacement missiles.