New Royal Navy missile shoots down drone in first-of-its-kind operation

The Royal Navy used a new helicopter missile to shoot down a drone without assistance in a first-of-its-kind test.

The force fired a Martlet missile from a Wildcat gunship to shoot down a Banshee drone flying at hundreds of miles per hour over the Bristol Channel.

The test, which recently took place at RAF Manorbier in South Wales, marks an important improvement in defense against the “very modern threat” of enemy drones, the Royal Navy said.

This follows a recent attack on a Wildcat helicopter aboard the destroyer HMS Diamond, which has been repeatedly attacked by drones used by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Yemen.

Speaking at RAF Manorbier, Wildcat pilot Lieutenant Dave Guest said the ability to destroy drones without assistance was an important addition to the Royal Navy’s defense arsenal.

He said: “It is very important that we can demonstrate the effectiveness of the Wildcat in defeating targets such as unmanned systems, and that we can do this on our own without requiring the assistance of other assets.”

During the two-day trial, the Royal Navy used the autonomous Banshee drone as a target for the Wildcat and its missiles.

After launching through the ramp, the Banshee moved through the range with the Wildcat ready to intercept it.

The pilots flying the Wildcat then launched a new Martlet missile to shoot down the drone.

Lieutenant Guest said: “The Martlet is a high-performance as well as cost-effective weapon in our arsenal, ideal for this, while the Banshee is representative of the problems we face around the world, particularly in the Red Sea.”

Commander James Woods, Commanding Officer, 815 Naval Airlift Squadron, said: “This is a fantastic development for the Wildcat HMA 2 helicopter and a significant advance in maritime strike capabilities for the Royal Navy, further enhancing our ability to deter and neutralize airborne threats. »

According to the Royal Navy, the Wildcat is designed to engage a wide range of vessels, including submarines, and boasts air-to-air combat capabilities typically limited to fast aircraft.

The helicopter operates on Royal Navy frigates, destroyers and aircraft carriers and performs a wide range of roles, from supporting search operations and tracking drug traffickers moving at high speed across the ocean, to ferrying troops, equipment and personnel, and conducting rescue operations. when necessary.

The Martlet is a lightweight, laser-guided missile originally designed for use against small, maneuverable targets such as fast attack craft, jet skis, and boats.