The Royal Navy has successfully destroyed a supersonic missile for the first time during a live-fire test conducted off the coast of Scotland.
On May 15, 2025, Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon launched a modified Sea Viper missile that intercepted and destroyed a high-speed, sea-skimming target in the air.
The test was carried out during Exercise Formidable Shield 25, the largest live-fire military drill in Europe this year. The exercise involves nearly 7,000 personnel from 10 NATO countries, including naval ships, aircraft, ground troops, and command teams.
The first phase of the operation was held at Andøya firing range in Norway, before moving to the Hebrides range in western Scotland where HMS Dragon’s engagement took place.
During the trial, HMS Dragon fired a telemetry version of the Sea Viper missile. This specially equipped missile was designed to collect important flight data and performance measurements to support future air defence planning.
Just 2.5 seconds after launch, the missile reached speeds over Mach 4, four times the speed of sound, and began executing rapid, high-G manoeuvres that no human could physically endure. These moves allowed it to accurately lock onto and eliminate the fast-moving target.
A Friday fireball courtesy of @HMSDragon…
In a burst of fire and smoke, the Type 45 destroyer launched a specially-modified Sea Viper missile at an incoming high-speed target which was emulating the kind of advanced threats seen around the globe today.
— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) May 16, 2025
The incoming missile being simulated was not a typical aerial threat. It flew at supersonic speed, very close to the sea surface, and carried out unpredictable moves like corkscrews and weaving, replicating the types of advanced weapons that militaries might face in real combat situations today.
The Sea Viper system is a powerful combination of the Sampson radar, located on top of the ship’s mast in the form of a spinning spiked ball, and the Aster missile launcher, which is fitted into the ship’s forward deck. This system scans the skies over vast distances, identifies threats, and takes action when needed.
HMS Dragon’s success in this test also confirmed that the ship’s advanced air defence system remains fully operational following a recent extended maintenance period.
According to the ship’s command, the successful missile launch also demonstrated their readiness to work closely with NATO partners in high-pressure combat scenarios involving multiple threats across air, sea, and land.
Exercise Formidable Shield 25 includes live missile firings by nearly every participating unit. Naval forces are being tested against various modern threats including drones, subsonic and supersonic missiles, uncrewed systems, and even ballistic projectiles.
A senior warfare officer on board HMS Dragon, currently serving under an exchange program from the Royal Australian Navy, commented that the exercise has been a tough but valuable opportunity for the ship’s crew to sharpen their warfighting skills and operate effectively as part of a larger combat group.
During the live-fire trial, HMS Dragon also worked alongside several other NATO ships engaged in missile launches. While specific operational details remain restricted for security reasons, officials confirmed that all procedures followed the joint objectives of the exercise.
Formidable Shield 25 will continue until May 31, testing allied cooperation and advanced military systems in a realistic and challenging environment.
Reference: Royal Navy
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