Royal Navy’s Wildcat Helicopter Achieves First Autonomous Drone Engagement Using Martlet Missile
Wildcats face drone threats from Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
The U.K. Royal Navy’s Wildcat helicopter autonomously engaged a Banshee drone with a Martlet missile, marking the first such operation without external support.
The two-day trial was conducted off the Welsh coast.
Lieutenant Dave Guest, the pilot of the Wildcat, highlighted the significance of being able to engage uncrewed systems autonomously, stating that the demonstration showcases the effectiveness of the helicopter in complex operational scenarios. Earlier this year, a Wildcat helicopter on HMS Diamond encountered drone threats posed by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
The Martlet missile, a lightweight, multi-role weapon introduced in 2021, has been validated in various operational scenarios, further enhancing the Wildcat's role in maritime operations.
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