A Wildcat armed with a Martlet, a light missile weighing 13kg, made for smaller or lightly protected targets such as fast attack craft, motor boats, and patrol boats. — A Wildcat armed with a Martlet, a light missile weighing 13kg, made for smaller or lightly protected targets such as fast attack craft, motor boats, and patrol boats (Picture: MOD).

Weapons and Kit

Royal Navy develops tactics for its latest anti-ship missiles

Exercise Tamber Shield has seen the Royal Navy test out its newest weapon systems, Martlet and Sea Venom.

Four Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron joined the Norwegian Navy for the two-week exercise.

The training saw them develop tactics, particularly using their air-to-surface anti-ship missiles Martlet and Sea Venom, to fend off fast attack craft.

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Wildcat crews were put through their paces in an immersive exercise, where they had to hunt down, and 'kill', fast patrol boats hiding in the jagged coastline.

Norwegian Skjold-class patrol boats and HMS Archer and Pursuer, two small fast Royal Navy P2000 patrol vessels, took on the role of the enemy.

Operating alongside the Norwegians in the fjords enabled the Wildcat fliers to learn from their hosts, who were able to help the Navy understand how to navigate and deploy tactics effectively in that environment and how to integrate seamlessly with each other.

Lieutenant Commander Sammy Haynes, Senior Observer of 815 Naval Air Squadron, said: "This exchange of skills, information, and local knowledge has allowed all parties involved to further develop tactics and procedures; far improving their effectiveness in this different, exciting and challenging environment."