Britain’s latest supersonic missile is fully ready for front-line action after completing extensive trials during an ‘explosive autumn’ of tests and exercises, the Royal Navy announced.
During the final day and night trials, the lightweight multirole missile – known as Martlet by the Royal Navy – blasted drones out of the sky and from the surface first off the Welsh coast, and later in the French Mediterranean.
Launched from Wildcat helicopters, Martlet can accelerate up to one and a half times the speed of sound. Using the ranges at Aberporth, Martlet was tested in Cardigan Bay against specially designed targets, built to mirror small uncrewed boats.
The Wildcats were presented with four targets: two aerial drones – small, fast-moving, agile fixed-wing Albas – and two surface targets (one at night) moving at speed across the Mediterranean.
Martlet is guided onto its target by the Wildcat crew – with both targets quickly and successfully eliminated, as were the surface targets, it was highlighted.
After reducing targets to splinters, the aviators flew to Hyères on the Côte d’Azur to participate in the French-led NATO exercise Wildfire.
“The Martlet missile represents another significant leap forward in our capabilities and by supporting hundreds of UK jobs, shows how defence is an engine for growth while making Britain safer. Its precision against both aerial and surface threats showcases the Royal Navy’s cutting-edge technology and tactical excellence,” Minister for Defense Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard , said.
“Wildcat trials, in conjunction with our partner organisations, are all about pushing the boundaries of its warfighting capability. Testing and validating our aircraft against realistic targets in challenging environments ensure that we capture vital data allowing us to fully understand our cutting-edge weapon systems, staying ahead of evolving threats, and applying lessons learned to keep the platform’s claws razor-sharp for operations,” Commander Andrew Henderson , Commanding Officer Wildcat Maritime Force based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, said.
Martlet is one of two new missile systems introduced into service with the Wildcat, alongside the heavier Sea Venom, which is designed to take out patrol ships/corvette-sized vessels and was declared at initial operating capability earlier this month.
The missile, produced in Belfast, will be supplied to the Indian Army under a recently announced £350 million deal.