Royal Navy HMS Defender fires a missile at four times speed of sound
Incredible footage shows Royal Navy warship the HMS Defender fire a missile four times the speed of sound at an incoming drone in Nato tests off the coast of Scotland
- Portsmouth-based warship took on the fast-moving, low-level target as practice
- The incoming drone was designed to simulate a projectile attack on the ship
- Royal Navy reported that Type 45 destroyer tested her Sea Viper missile system
A Royal Navy warship has tested its ability to target a fast-moving, low-level threat such as a drone – putting its missile system through its paces off the coast of Scotland.
HMS Defender, a Type 45 destroyer, carried out the fiery and thunderous missile testing off the north-west of Scotland on Sunday as part of a Nato exercise.
During the test, HMS Defender sent a missile flying at four times the speed of sound to obliterate an incoming drone designed to simulate a projectile attack on the ship.
Navy chiefs said it marks the first time the Portsmouth-based warship has taken on such a challenging target.
The ship’s senior warfare officer, Lieutenant Commander Daniel Lee, said: ‘Being a part of our first firing against a fast-moving, low-level target has been a really rewarding experience.
‘Proving the effectiveness of the Sea Viper system against a more challenging target reassures us in the ability of HMS Defender to deliver on operations as an air defence destroyer.’
The Royal Navy warship HMS Defender off the coast of Scotland, 19 May 2019
The Royal Navy reported that the Type 45 destroyer tested her Sea Viper missile system
The missile flew four times the speed of sound before obliterating an incoming drone target designed to simulate a projectile attack on the ship
It marks the first time HMS Defender has taken on this particular type of target
Seamen in a control room as the Royal Navy warship HMS Defender has tested her Sea Viper missile system off the coast of Scotland
Led by the US Navy’s 6th Fleet, the exercise was the largest of its type with 13 ships, more than 10 aircraft and in excess of 3,300 personnel taking part
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