Wildcat pilot hails successful trial as Martlet missile shoots down target drone

The crew of a Royal Navy Wildcat have hailed the success of a test that saw them shoot down a target drone with a Martlet missile.

Martlet is an air defence missile that has been adapted for use against ground or surface targets, and in the test the helicopter crew were able to use it to destroy a Banshee drone flying over the Bristol Channel. 

This marked the first time a Wildcat had autonomously detected, tracked and engaged a drone without external assistance.

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Commander James Woods, the Commanding Officer of 815 Naval Air Squadron, said: "This is a fantastic development for the Wildcat HMA 2 helicopter and a significant advancement in maritime strike capability for the Royal Navy that further refines our ability to deter and neutralise airborne threats."

The two-day trial featured the Banshee drone as a target.

Wildcat pilot Lieutenant Dave Guest said: "It's really important that we can demonstrate the Wildcat's effectiveness in engaging targets such as uncrewed systems – and that we can do so on our own, without requiring the assistance of other assets."

Earlier this year, a Wildcat on board HMS Diamond faced drone threats from Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. 

The Martlet missile is a lightweight, multi-role weapon that has been validated in various operational scenarios since its introduction in 2021.

With this new capability, the Wildcat enhances its role in maritime operations, allowing rapid response to airborne threats while maintaining anti-surface capabilities.