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UK Royal Navy Enhances Drone Defense Capabilities with Successful Martlet Missile Test.
The British Royal Navy recently enhanced its aerial defense capabilities by successfully downing a target drone with the Martlet missile. This innovative test, conducted off the Welsh coast, marked the first autonomous engagement of an aerial target by the Wildcat HMA.2 helicopter squadron.
The Martlet, a lightweight, multi-role missile guided by laser, was initially designed to neutralize surface threats, including fast boats and other small, maneuverable targets (Picture source: British MoD)
During the exercise, a Wildcat helicopter, operating without external support, detected, tracked, and destroyed a Banshee drone traveling at high speed over the Bristol Channel. This achievement highlights the British fleet’s growing efficiency in countering uncrewed systems, a threat increasingly prevalent in modern conflict zones, notably in the Red Sea.
The Martlet, a lightweight, multi-role missile guided by laser, was initially designed to neutralize surface threats, including fast boats and other small, maneuverable targets. However, Royal Navy experts quickly identified its potential in air-to-air scenarios, confirmed by the recent trials. The Wildcat, primarily assigned to Royal Navy frigates, destroyers, and aircraft carriers, thus advances in its strike capabilities, enhancing its versatility for search and rescue operations, troop transport, and anti-smuggling missions at sea.
For these trials, the Royal Navy employed the Banshee drone, launched by ramp, as a training target for the Wildcat. After acquiring and tracking the drone, the helicopter crew launched the Martlet missile, which intercepted and destroyed the target within seconds, reducing it to a fireball. Wildcat pilot Lieutenant Dave Guest underscored the importance of this capability, which enables the helicopter to respond to aerial threats independently, without requiring additional support. He described the Martlet as a “highly effective and cost-efficient” weapon, ideally suited for this role.
Commander James Woods, leader of the 815th Naval Air Squadron, described this exercise as a “fantastic development” for the Wildcat HMA.2, emphasizing a significant advance in the Royal Navy’s maritime strike capacity. The Wildcat’s newly enhanced capability bolsters maritime security in sensitive areas and expands options for neutralizing drones, especially Banshee-type targets frequently encountered in operational theaters such as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, where rebel groups increasingly employ drones.
For these trials, the Royal Navy employed the Banshee drone, launched by ramp, as a training target for the Wildcat (Picture source: British MoD)
In the exercise, the Wildcat was outfitted with five Martlet missiles, though the helicopter can carry up to 20. Alternatively, a load of 10 Martlets combined with two Sea Venom anti-ship missiles is possible, offering increased flexibility for missions requiring dual air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities. The Seaspray 7400E surveillance radar and the Wescam MX-15Di optical unit supported target acquisition and missile guidance, ensuring optimal targeting accuracy.
Beyond the Royal Navy, other military forces are exploring the use of helicopters for drone interception missions. For example, Israel employs AH-64 helicopters to counter drones launched by Hezbollah. Ukraine, in turn, has deployed Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters, both transport and combat variants, to intercept drones using onboard cannons and machine guns, reflecting the growing interest in this form of aerial defense.
Currently, the Martlet missile has yet to reach full operational capability within the Royal Navy, with a target date set for 2025. However, ongoing trials aim to seamlessly integrate this versatile weapon with existing systems to address modern threats, particularly those posed by small drones. With a range of up to 10 km, the Martlet represents a valuable advancement for the British fleet.
The increasing use of drones in contemporary conflicts, such as in Ukraine and Yemen, has driven armed forces to develop innovative solutions to counter these threats. Helicopters equipped with suitable missiles, like the Martlet, provide a flexible and effective response to adversaries deploying increasingly sophisticated technologies. This evolution underscores the continuous adaptation of military strategies to the challenges posed by technological advancements on the battlefield.