Watch footage as Royal Navy and US forces blow up retired warship USS Klakring with ferocious new missile
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The explosive debut of the new Naval Strike Missile took more than a year of planning and preparation
A deadly new missile was debuted for the first time as British and US forces blew up a retired warship.
The landmark firing saw the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) being launched at the decommissioned vessel USS KIakring. Royal Navy personnel joined forces with their American counterparts for the weaponry trials in the North Atlantic.
Type 23 frigate HMS Portland launched the NSM, with her Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron also firing Sea Venom missiles. Trials took place at the Ministry of Defence’s range in the Hebrides off the northwest coast of Scotland under Exercise Atlantic Thunder.
Lieutenant Commander Louise Kirkaldy, HMS Portland’s Principal Warfare, said: “The successful firing of Naval Strike Missile marks a significant milestone for the Royal Navy, demonstrating our ability to deliver credible, modern maritime strike capability.
“This achievement reflects the professionalism, dedication and teamwork of all those involved, whose hard work has ensured we remain ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.”
The NSM’s advanced warhead can travel close to supersonic speeds to strike targets more than 100 miles away. evading detection by skimming the sea. Exercise Atlantic Thunder is a UK-US exercise which tests and evaluates new weaponry.
HMS Portland’s wildcat helicopter completed the full ‘kill chain’ process, which involved detecting, identifying, and striking a target. The successful tests mark an important step in strengthening the Royal Navy’s combat readiness. it will prove useful for British forces responding to emerging threats and supporting Nato operations.
Petty Officer James Kenyon, an Above Water Warfare specialist on HMS Portland, added: “To be involved in such a high-profile exercise is the highlight of my career. Being the first person to fire war-shot Naval Strike Missile and achieve a hit is a very proud moment, and one that will stay with me for the rest of my career.
“This was the culmination of over a year’s effort in planning and bringing the drills into service, and I am glad that I was able to contribute.”
The NSM will be a complementary weapon for the ‘Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon’, which will become the Fleet’s premier long-range, heavy duty anti-ship missile, carried by the Royal Navy’s next-generation warships fitted with the Mk41 vertical launch system. These will be fitted to the new Type 26 and 31 frigates.
Lieutenant Commander Rhydian Edwards, Test and Evaluation Commander for the Maritime Aviation Strike Operational Advantage Group, said: “This was a landmark moment for the Wildcat Force. For the first time we demonstrated the live firing of an operational Sea Venom missile against a representative maritime target. More importantly, we proved our ability to execute the full maritime strike kill chain under realistic operational conditions.
“This was about giving commanders confidence that Wildcat can find, fix and strike maritime targets using Sea Venom as part of a wider task group. The lessons learned from this activity will directly inform future tactics, training and operational capability development, ensuring Maritime Aviation Strike remains ready to fight and win when called upon.”