UK Type 45 destroyer intercepts supersonic missile during ‘Formidable Shield 25'

HMS Dragon successfully intercepted a supersonic sea-skimming target during a live-fire demonstration as part of Exercise ‘Formidable Shield 25' on 15 May. This is the first time in Royal Navy history this has been achieved. (Royal Navy/Crown copyright)

A UK Royal Navy (RN) Type 45 Daring-class destroyer used its Sea Viper surface-to-air guided weapon system to successfully engage and destroy a supersonic missile during a live-fire demonstration as part of NATO's Exercise ‘Formidable Shield 25', which is currently taking place off the coast of northern Scotland.

During the exercise, which took place on 15 May, the RN's fourth-in-class Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon fired a modified Aster 30 missile – part of the GWS 45 Sea Viper anti-air guided weapon system – against an incoming high-speed target, which was designed to emulate the characteristics of a supersonic sea-skimming missile.

Following its launch, the Aster missile accelerated to more than Mach 4 and then manoeuvred at G-forces to close in and destroy the incoming target.

The RN said this marked the first time the service has engaged a supersonic missile threat, which is more challenging as it flies faster and carries out corkscrew and weave manoeuvres.

The Sea Viper missile launched was a special telemetry version, designed to record measurements and data to inform future operations.

“The successful Sea Viper firing as part of ‘Formidable Shield 25' is a huge moment for HMS Dragon, ” Commander Iain Giffin, HMS Dragon's commanding officer, said.

“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.”