Missile Sea Cat

The system originated from experiments to adapt an anti-tank missile for surface-to-air use. Developed to replace 40 mm anti-aircraft guns, it provided shipboard point-defense against subsonic jet aircraft and anti-shipping missiles. Acceptance trials commenced in 1961, and the system entered service in 1962.

The missile is a subsonic weapon powered by a two-stage solid-fuel motor. It features four swept wings for steering and four tail fins for stabilization. It carries a continuous-rod warhead equipped with a proximity detonation mechanism. Guidance is provided through command line-of-sight via radio link. The initial GWS-20 variant was manually controlled by an operator using a joystick and visual tracking. The GWS-21 variant added radar-cued manual control for night or adverse weather conditions. The GWS-22 introduced automatic command line-of-sight capabilities, incorporating radar and CCTV tracking. The GWS-24 variant provided fully automatic engagement. A land-based mobile version, Tigercat, utilizes a three-round trailer-mounted launcher.

The system was widely deployed and exported to several countries. Operators included the United Kingdom, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sweden. Combat use occurred during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, the Iran-Iraq War, the South African Border War, and the Falklands War. During the Falklands conflict, the missile served as the primary air defense for many British warships. It was engaged against Argentine A-4C Skyhawks and, in one instance, launched from HMS Glamorgan in an attempt to intercept an incoming Exocet missile. Argentine forces operated the Tigercat variant during the same conflict. The system remained in service with some navies into the late 1990s before being replaced by newer close-in weapon systems and vertical-launch missiles.