Wildcat helicopters kitted out with Martlet missiles to destroy drones during Exercise Wildfire

A Wildcat helicopter has engaged and destroyed drone targets using Martlet missiles, a system that is now fully operational in the Royal Navy's Wildcat helicopters. 

Missile firings took place initially against uncrewed surface vehicles off the Welsh coast and, following this, a Wildcat flew to the Côte d’Azur in southern France to take part in Exercise Wildfire, a four-day exercise in the Mediterranean.

There, the Wildcat integrated with a French Strike Group including two destroyers, helicopters and Rafale aircraft. 

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Targets included two Alba aerial drones. After the Martlet missile launches its rocket motor, it boosts the missile to Mach 1.5. Following its burnout, the missile coasts to its target. 

The Martlet is a laser-guided beam riding system which uses Automatic Target Tracking to lock on or can be guided using a joystick. 

The missile, also known as a lightweight multirole missile, or LMM, can also be fired from ground launchers against aircraft and has been tested from a Royal Navy frigate. 

The system means the Navy helicopter can protect itself against adversary aircraft and helicopters. 

It can also intercept fast inshore attack craft, known as FIACs, and the emerging threat of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs). 

815 Naval Air Squadron also used a 50-calibre M3M machine gun against a surface craft.

This variant of the Heavy Machine Gun has a higher rate of fire and lower recoil because of its mounting system. 

The machine gun gives the Wildcat a different option for engaging surface or aerial drone threats.