PICTURED: Royal Navy warship destroys supersonic missile in historic first

For the first time, the Royal Navy has intercepted a target performing complex corkscrew and weave manoeuvres, demonstrating the ship's advanced air defence capabilities.

HMS Dragon participated in what is being described as the largest live-firing exercise in Europe this year, showcasing its strength to defend itself and surrounding ships from various threats.

The Sea Viper missile used during the exercise was a specialised telemetry version, specifically designed to record crucial measurements and data.

HMS Dragon's Commanding Officer highlighted the significance of the achievement, stating: "The successful Sea Viper firing as part of Formidable Shield 25 is a huge moment for HMS Dragon.

"Not only does it prove that Dragon's world-leading air defence capability functions as it should following an extensive maintenance period, but it also proves our ability to integrate and operate alongside NATO allies and partners.

"Training alongside ships, aircraft and land forces from 11 nations in this complex, multi-domain exercise ensures that we maintain our fighting edge against evolving Hi and Low-tech threats."

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Just two and a half seconds after launching from HMS Dragon's silo, it accelerated to more than four times the speed of sound.

The missile then performed manoeuvres at G-forces that would be impossible for any human to withstand as it closed in on the target.

Sea Viper is a sophisticated system which combines two key components.

The Sampson radar system, appearing as a distinctive spinning spiked ball atop the Type 45 destroyer's main mast, and the Aster missile system housed in a silo on the ship's forecastle.

This integrated system tracks aircraft and other objects across thousands of cubic miles of airspace over the Hebrides range in western Scotland, identifies potential threats, and neutralises them when necessary.

Lieutenant Commander Sarah Kaese, Dragon's Senior Warfare Officer, who is on exchange from the Royal Australian Navy, praised the vessel.

She said: "Seeing how far Dragon has progressed, both within the Warfare Department as well as the wider ship, is impressive.

"Formidable Shield has been both a significant challenge and opportunity for Dragon to come together as a warfighting unit and integrate into a task group developing air defence capability."