The Royal Navy don declare Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the Sea Venom anti-ship missile, a big boost for Fleet Air Arm's Wildcat helicopters. This mean say dem fit carry this modern long-range strike option go front-line duty now.
Sea Venom: New Power for Royal Navy
Sea Venom dey developed under the Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW) programme. E dey give the Wildcat helicopter serious anti-ship capability, plus the smaller Martlet missile. Each helicopter fit carry up to four Sea Venoms, wey fit strike plenty targets for one mission or deliver heavy blow against bigger enemy ship.
What Sea Venom Fit Do?
- Range of more than 20 km
- Designed to counter small combat ships up to corvette size
- 30 kg semi-armour piercing warhead wey fit attack ships and small land targets
- Specially designed for complex coastal environments
- Precise targeting with different flight profiles
- Two-way data link for in-flight monitoring and guidance updates
- Infra-Red seeker head wey fit distinguish between targets and avoid decoys
The missile dey drop-launched, and the booster motor no dey fire until e separate from the aircraft. This dey allow the Wildcat to quickly turn away from the target after launch, wey dey keep am far from enemy missile range.
Tested for Action
Dem confirm the Initial Operating Capability during Operation Highmast, the RN's Indo-Pacific deployment wey HMS Prince of Wales lead. Commander James Woods of 815 Naval Air Squadron talk say the Sea Venom dey bring big change to demma combat power, dey give dem lethal combination of precision and flexibility to strike against plenty threats.
The Sea Venom missile wey dem test for Cardigan Bay last year, now fit dey fitted to Royal Navy maritime attack helicopters. This dey ensure say dem ready to defend and protect NATO and Allied interests for home and abroad.