One of the UK’s most advanced warships has obliterated a supersonic missile in a historic first for the Royal Navy in a test off the Scottish coast.
In a burst of fire and smoke, Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon launched a specially-modified Sea Viper missile at an incoming high-speed target which was emulating advanced threats similar to those seen globally today.
It marks the first time the Royal Navy has faced down a target of this kind, being significantly more challenging as it flies faster and carries out corkscrew and weave manoeuvres.
The Sea Viper launched was a special telemetry version, designed to record measurements and valuable data to inform future operations.
The missile firing took place as part of the largest live-firing exercise in Europe this year – known as Exercise Formidable Shield 25 – which is proving the Portsmouth-based ship’s ability to defend herself and other ships around her from attack, including from swarms of drones.
HMS Dragon’s Commanding Officer said: ‘The successful Sea Viper firing as part of Formidable Shield 25 is a huge moment for HMS Dragon.
‘Not only does it prove that Dragon’s world leading air defence capability functions as it should following an extensive maintenance period, but it also proves our ability to integrate and operate alongside NATO allies and partners.
In a burst of fire and smoke, Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon launched a specially-modified Sea Viper missile at an incoming high-speed target which was emulating advanced threats similar to those seen globally today
It marks the first time the Royal Navy has faced down this kind of target – one that is significantly more challenging as it flies faster and carries out corkscrew and weave manoeuvres
The missile firing took place as part of the largest live-firing exercise in Europe this year – known as Exercise Formidable Shield 25 – which is proving the Portsmouth-based ship’s ability to defend herself and other ships around her from attack, including from swarms of drones
‘Training alongside ships, aircraft and land forces from 11 nations in this complex, multi-domain exercise ensures that we maintain our fighting edge against evolving Hi and Low-tech threats.’
Just two and a half seconds after erupting from HMS Dragon’s silo, the missile accelerated to more than four times the speed of sound – otherwise known as Mach four.
High above the water, it then manoeuvred at G-forces which no human being could withstand, to close in and eventually destroy the target.
Sea Viper is the combination of the Sampson radar system, the distinctive spinning spiked ball on top of a Type 45 destroyer’s main mast, and the Aster missile system which sits in a silo on the ship’s forecastle.
The system works to track aircraft and other objects across thousands of cubic miles of airspace over the Hebrides range in western Scotland, identifies threats, and destroys them when necessary.
Lieutenant Commander Sarah Kaese, Dragon’s Senior Warfare Officer – who is on exchange from the Royal Australian Navy, said: ‘Seeing how far Dragon has progressed, both within the Warfare Department as well as the wider ship, is impressive.
Just two and a half seconds after erupting from HMS Dragon’s silo, the missile accelerated to more than four times the speed of sound – otherwise known as Mach four. High above the water, it then manoeuvred at G-forces which no human being could withstand, to close in and eventually destroy the target
Sea Viper is the combination of the Sampson radar system and the Aster missile system. It tracks aircraft and other objects across thousands of cubic miles of airspace over the Hebrides range in western Scotland, identifies threats, and destroys them when necessary
Almost every participant of Formidable Shield is due to launch missiles over the course of the month-long workout, which ends on May 31
Pictured: HMS Dragon at Sea off the Scottish west coast during the Formidable Shield exercise
‘Formidable Shield has been both a significant challenge and opportunity for Dragon to come together as a warfighting unit and integrate into a task group developing air defence capability.’
Formidable Shield sees naval forces battle against uncrewed air and surface systems, subsonic, supersonic and ballistic targets.
Bringing together allied ships and land-based air defences and air forces, they all work together to prove themselves as a credible combined combat power.
Over the course of the month-long workout, which ends on May 31, almost every participant is due to launch missiles.
The first phase of the exercise – which involves nearly 7,000 personnel – took place at the Andøya firing range in Norway, before moving on to the Hebrides range.
