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This is mainly length vs diameter trade. Britain considered length more important than diameter, but since plans to install "Sea Slug" on retrofitted missile cruisers & frigates were scrapped, and "County" were build specifically around "Sea Slug" system we could not establish, were they right or wrong. If the plans for "Sea Slug"-carrying escorts came into fruition in late 1950s, then, probably, the compact size of "Sea Slug" would become great advantage.Also, the all-forward booster arrangement allowed to use relatively small fins during launch, and (theoretically) made missile more reliable. Since all four boosters were aligned such that their thrust was concentrated in single point, one booster failure would not led to failed launch - the other three would manage without destabilizing the whole missile.
This is mainly length vs diameter trade. Britain considered length more important than diameter, but since plans to install "Sea Slug" on retrofitted missile cruisers & frigates were scrapped, and "County" were build specifically around "Sea Slug" system we could not establish, were they right or wrong. If the plans for "Sea Slug"-carrying escorts came into fruition in late 1950s, then, probably, the compact size of "Sea Slug" would become great advantage.
Also, the all-forward booster arrangement allowed to use relatively small fins during launch, and (theoretically) made missile more reliable. Since all four boosters were aligned such that their thrust was concentrated in single point, one booster failure would not led to failed launch - the other three would manage without destabilizing the whole missile.