After the new weapons performed beyond expectations during the trials, the Royal Navy deployed its supersonic missiles. The purpose of these missiles is to safeguard the fleet's warships. During the Martlet and Sea Venom missiles' last trials, Wildcat helicopters and Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Argus both participated.

Both weapons are classified as Potential Anti-Surface Guided Weapons that intend to destroy smaller boats, whilst the Sea Venom has ten times the strength and can pierce defensive warships.

During the trials, 815 Naval Air Squadron Wildcats landed and lifted off over 900 times with varied cargoes and weather. As reported by the news website, FA Argus travelled more than 8,000 miles across the Atlantic to check for various trial weather conditions.

The longest at-sea drill is currently taking place in Brazil, and HMS Forth has accompanied dozens of other aircraft and ships from various nations. Forth was among the twenty boats, twenty aircraft, and two submarines from sixteen countries.

According to Operations Officer Lieutenant William Morris, the drill gave Forth's Warfare Department a unique chance to train in ways they had never done before.

Here's all about India's supersonic Akash Missile

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Engages multiple targets

The Akash is a medium range surface-to-air missile, which is produced indigenously and has the capability to engage multiple targets from multiple directions. It can reach a staggering speed of Mach 2.5 and can detect low, medium, and high flying targets.

Missile capabilities

Akash is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, and can reach a maximum height of 18 kilometres. This makes it lethal for enemy fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles, etc. The missile can carry a warhead of 50- 60 kgs, while it has a launch weight of 720 kg. It has a wingspan of 1105mm, length of 5.8 m, and a diameter of 350 mm.

Long history

The missile development was part of India’s 30-year-old integrated guided-missile development programme (IGMDP) which also included other missiles like Nag, Agni, Trishul, Prithvi. Akash can be launched from mobile platforms, thus making it versatile in combat situations. The strike rate is impressive too, with a kill probability of 88 per cent for the first missile and 99 percent for the second one.

The heart of the matter

Akash is supported by ‘Rajendra’, an indigenously developed radar system, that has the capability to lock-on to multiple targets in group or autonomous mode. The Indian Akash missile system is reportedly cheaper than the American ‘Patriot’ missile system. Incidentally, Akash uses ramjet propulsion system which helps it intercept supersonic targets. The ramjet propulsion and its electronic couter-counter measure equipment also help it break any electronic jamming system.

Where is it made?

The missile system is designed and developed by DRDO. But Bharat Dynamics (BDL) manufacturer the missiles, while Bharat Electronics produces its hi-tech ‘Rajendra phased array radar’.

Everyone, from AB to officer, learnt a great deal from working with a global task force. He added that he is prepared to execute further drills at the same high standard.

It occurs while the minesweeper HMS Hurworth and the cruiser HMS Lancaster explore unmanned technology that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) may deploy on the front lines of future conflicts, including drones and undersea survey vessels.

FAQs:

Which nations were included in the mission of Forth?
Spain, the United States, Uruguay, Chile, and France were included.
When did the Royal Navy announce the Brazil drill?
They announced it on October 11, 2022.

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Supersonic missiles deployed by Royal Navy to protect HMS Queen Elizabeth in front lines

Both weapons are classified as Potential Anti-Surface Guided Weapons that intend to destroy smaller boats, whilst the Sea Venom has ten times the strength and can pierce defensive warships.