One of the Royal Navy’s most advanced warships shot down swarms of drones in a live-fire exercise off the Welsh coast.
Taking on the kind of threats currently seen in the Red Sea and other regions, the Type 45 destroyer showcased her cutting-edge weaponry, radars and sensors.Exercise Sharpshooter was HMS Dauntless’ final test before she departs for the UK’s upcoming Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.
The destroyer is the first ship of her class to fend off hundreds of Banshee, Hammerhead and virtual drone attacks as part of a scenario customised to mimic real-world threats.
The exercise was observed first hand by Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, who said:
“The speed and skill shown by the crew of HMS Dauntless in defending the ship against a complex and sustained series of drone attacks was incredibly impressive. This test shows how the Royal Navy is adapting to face evolving threats, including from drone attacks in the Red Sea, as well as how we are working closely with industry to harness the latest technology to keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad.“
QinetiQ’s Banshee Whirlwind target is an aerial drone capable of flying at over 200mph, while the Hammerhead is an uncrewed surface vehicle which is used to imitate real-world threats.
Being ready at a moment’s notice, Dauntless shot down drones using her Phalanx Automated Gun, 4.5inch and 30mm Guns as well as an embarked Wildcat using Martlet missiles which are able to take out targets up to 6km away.
The training exercise, designed by instructors from the Royal Navy’s Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST) and QinetiQ, saw the ship targeted with persistent real life and virtual threats during the day and overnight.
It gave Dauntless and her ship’s company an insight into what her sister ship, HMS Diamond, faced when she operated in the Red Sea last year and protected commercial shipping routes using cutting-edge technology – including the Royal Navy’s first shooting down of a ballistic missile using its Sea Viper missile.
Commanding Officer of HMS Dauntless, Commander Ben Dorrington, said:
“The realism of the exercise and training delivered provided a unique opportunity for the ship’s company to demonstrate they are ready to defend, ready to fight and ready to win. As we reach the pinnacle of our comprehensive training package with the conclusion of Exercise Sharpshooter, we look forward to some well-deserved Easter leave before deploying as part of the Carrier Strike Group in the Spring.”
