Significant milestone: Royal Navy fires its newest anti-ship missile at an ex-US Navy warship

The Royal Navy has tested its newest anti-ship missiles in a landmark firing with the United States against a specially prepared ex-US navy warship in the North Atlantic. 

Type 23 frigate HMS Portland launched the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), while her Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron fired Sea Venom missiles at the decommissioned frigate USS Klakring at the MOD Hebrides range. 

The NSM can travel near-supersonic speeds to hit targets more than 100 miles away, escaping detection by skimming the sea.

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The successful test took place during Exercise Atlantic Thunder, a joint UK-US exercise to examine and evaluate weapons, off the northwest coast of Scotland. 

"The successful firing of [the] Naval Strike Missile marks a significant milestone for the Royal Navy, demonstrating our capability to deliver credible, modern maritime strike capability," Lieutenant Commander Louise Kirkaldy, HMS Portland's Principal Warfare Officer, said. 

"This achievement reflects the professionalism, dedication and teamwork of all those involved, whose hard work ensured we remain ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow."

NSM and Sea Venom missiles 

HMS Somerset fired the NSM for the first time last year in Andøya at Norway's Arctic rocket range alongside Norwegian and Polish allies. 

The NSM, which weighs 400kg, will be a complementary weapon for the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon, which will become the fleet's premier long-range, heavy-duty anti-ship missile, carried by the Royal Navy's next-generation warships fitted with the Mk41 vertical launch system (including the new Type 26 and 31 frigates). 

The Sea Venom missile is a smart missile designed to defeat corvette-sized maritime vessels or damage frigates, destroyers and other larger vessels. The Wildcat can hold four of these missiles at once. 

It can also be deployed overland and against land-based targets if needed, meaning it can destroy bunkers, buildings, and vehicles. 

Petty Officer James Kenyon, an Above Water Warfare specialist on HMS Portland, said that his involvement in the exercise was the "highlight" of his career so far. 

"Being the first person to fire war-shot NSM and achieve a hit is a very proud moment, and one that will stay with me for the rest of my career," PO Kenyon said. 

"This was the culmination of over a year's effort in planning and bringing the drills into service; I am glad that I was able to contribute." 

The successful tests mark an important step in strengthening the Royal Navy's combat readiness, ensuring the maritime service has the capabilities needed to respond to emerging threats, support Nato operations and defend UK interests at home and abroad.