The Royal Navy has conducted the first guided test firing of the air-launched Sea Venom anti-ship missile.
A Wildcat HMA Mk2 attack helicopter struck a target barge with the MBDA missile, marking a major milestone in the integration of Sea Venom with the aircraft.
“The Wildcat has another potent addition to its arsenal, increasing the ability of front-line crews to fight from a greater stand-off distance; this maximizes their lethality whilst keeping them safe from enemy defenses,” Lieutenant Commander Robin Kenchington said.
The weapon is expected to be fielded as part of next year’s Carrier Strike Group 25 deployment, complementing the Martlet anti-surface weapon system.
Enhances Wildcat’s Weapons Array
The Wildcat can currently fire the lightweight Martlet to strike small boat swarms or small ships. It can also fire StingRay torpedoes to take out underwater threats.
With Sea Venom in its armory, the chopper will be able to target larger warships, such as corvettes.
The missile is being introduced into the Royal Navy to meet its Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon requirements, including enabling the Wildcat to neutralize surface targets of corvette size, while also offering capability against coastal and land targets.
“We’re pleased that the completion of these key Wildcat integration trials will mean the Royal Navy will now be able to field the full capability of this potent maritime weapon system, providing a critical maritime strike capability for Carrier Strike Group 25 and beyond,” MBDA Tactical Strike Director Mike Mew said.
Missile Features
Sea Venom carries a 30-kilogram (66-pound) semi-armor-piercing blast/fragmentation warhead and has a stand-off range of 20 kilometers (12.42 miles), over three times that of the Martlet.
It also delivers nearly 10 times the punch of the Martlet due to its significantly greater weight of 120 kilograms (264 pounds).
The missile can fly in a variety of flight profiles, including ski-skimming.
Moreover, it features a two-way data link for in-flight monitoring and mid-course guidance updates via real-time video imagery, allowing for inflight re-targeting, final aim point correction, and refinement or safe abort.
“A high speed, two-way data-link communicates the images ‘seen’ by the missile’s infrared seeker to the operator who, in addition to initiating an autonomous engagement, can also remain in control of the missile throughout the full duration of its flight,” according to MBDA.
