HMS Dauntless keeps deck gun ready and Wildcat armed with Martlet missiles
HMS Dauntless' flight department has been loading and unloading a Wildcat helicopter with Martlet missiles every 12 hours while in the Red Sea.
This demonstration of firepower follows the revelation that the Carrier Strike Group 25 has sailed through the Suez Canal as it heads down towards Australia.
The missiles are being changed halfway through the day so that the helicopter can be in a constant state of combat readiness.
The procedure is believed to have been carried out because of the possible exposure to salt, heat and direct sunlight on the flight deck.
The Martlet missiles would have been loaded onto the helicopter during the Red Sea section of the deployment because the Wildcat helicopter has a thermal capability.
However, there are no actual tests that you can do on a live missile.
There is a small window with an indicator that can be checked to see if there is moisture inside the explosive through a humidity indicator.
In addition, the ground crews check a pressure equalising valve.
A sealed canister protects the ordnance, and the canister's cap is blown off by a build-up of pressure before the missile launches.
The Martlet has two motors. One is used to blow it clear of the canister in a "soft launch", while the second motor boosts it to Mach 1.5 (1,151mph).
The Wildcat is not HMS Dauntless' only means of defence as she also has a DS-30M Mk II Naval Gun.
There are 12 countries participating in the CSG deployment, known as Operation Highmast, which will last eight months and cover more than 30,000 miles.
The CSG will conduct further large-scale exercises with allies in the Middle East, Japan and Australia.
Over 4,500 British military personnel are involved, including nearly 600 RAF, 900 soldiers, and 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines.
For more reports about Carrier Strike Group 25, click here.
Join Our Newsletter
