In the first air-to-air trial of its kind, the crew of a Wildcat used the Martlet missile – designed to take out enemy surface targets – to destroy a Banshee jet flying at hundreds of miles an hour over the Bristol Channel.
The helicopter operates from UK Royal Navy frigates, destroyers and aircraft carriers performing a wide range of key roles, from supporting board and search operations and tracking down drug-runners moving at high speed across the ocean, to ferrying troops/equipment and personnel around and conducting rescues when necessary.
Thanks to two new missile systems – Martlet, which has been in service since 2021, and Sea Venom, successfully tested earlier this autumn – it can also take out hostile ships. Martlet in particular is designed to foil enemy fast attack craft/speedboats – but experts also spotted its air-to-air potential.
The trials team with the Wildcat and two Banshees
That’s now been realised at the Manorbier range, near Tenby, in Southwest Wales – the first time the Wildcat has detected, tracked, and engaged a drone without outside assistance.
It marks a step forward for the Royal Navy, unlocking a new defence against a very modern threat – seen most recently in the Red Sea.
Commander James Woods, 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.”
“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”
Wildcat pilot Lt Dace Guest
The team inspect the Banshee drone being prepared for launch
The two-day trial saw the Royal Navy deploy the autonomous Banshee drone as the target for the Wildcat and its missiles. After being launched via a ramp, the Banshee moved across the range with the Wildcat poised to intercept.
Wildcat pilot Lieutenant Dave Guest said the ability to take out drones added another crucial string to the helicopter’s already-impressive bow.
“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,” he added.
“Martlet is a highly-capable – and also cost-effective – weapon in our arsenal, ideal for this, while Banshee is representative of the challenges we face globally, particularly in the Red Sea.”
Earlier this year a Wildcat from 815 NAS deployed aboard destroyer HMS Diamond repeatedly faced the threat of drones fired by Houthi rebels at shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Yemen. Both the air and ground crew were recently recognised for their bravery.
Martlet is a lightweight, multi-role, laser-guided missile originally acquired for use against small, manoeuvrable targets such as fast attack craft, jet skis and speedboats.
It was tested overseas during the UK Carrier Strike Group’s global deployment in 2021 and since then, has been thoroughly tested in different operational scenarios and situations.
In its primary role of maritime attack, the Wildcat is designed to engage a wide range of vessels, including submarines, and can now boast an air-to-air capability usually restricted to fast jets.
Used in the air-to-air role the Wildcat offers multiple advantages – it can get airborne quickly to respond to incoming threats and be rapidly repositioned to provide counter-drone screening, all while providing a simultaneous anti-surface capability.
Source: UK Royal Navy