Illustrious and her Apache gunships breathe fire and fury in the Med

27/11/2012

For the second time this year HMS Illustrious launched Army Apache gunships to fire live Hellfire missiles as the helicopters let rip on the ranges off Gibraltar. Seven tank-busting missiles were successfully fired by the Apaches as the carrier headed west having completed her part in the Royal Navy’s key autumn deployment, Cougar 12.

We have once again demonstrated the combination of Army Apache helicopters launched from the deck of HMS Illustrious are a potent mix, capable of combat against targets on land and at sea anywhere in the world

Capt Martin Connell

THE world’s best tank-busting missile accelerates away from the world’s best tank-busting helicopter as HMS Illustrious’ Apaches let rip on the range in the western Mediterranean.

For the second time this year the Army Air Corps gunships were launched from the deck of the Portsmouth-based aircraft carrier to fire live missiles.

Two Apaches from 656 Squadron AAC were sent aloft from Lusty’s flight deck as the sun rose over the western Med near Gibraltar.

With the ranges clear of all other shipping and aircraft, the two gunships sent seven Hellfires into specialist targets up to 2.5km (1.5 miles) away, sending debris and shrapnel spinning across the sea as they impacted, obliterating their targets.

The Hellfire has proven itself repeatedly in Afghanistan and was used extensively in last year’s Libyan campaign, when Apaches flew from the deck of HMS Ocean against Colonel Gaddafi’s forces – the first time the gunships had been used in anger at sea.

Back in the spring, Illustrious carried out the first live Hellfire firings in UK waters and now has repeated that exercise in the Med.

As well as training for the Apache crews, the firings allowed Lusty’s specialist air engineer weapons supply team to practise safely moving the missiles (each carries a 9kg/20lb warhead) from the carrier’s magazine to the flight deck, where the squadron’s armourers loaded them on to the helicopters.

Apaches can carry up to 16 Hellfires, mounted in sets of four on pylons beneath the helicopter’s stubby wings.

The missile leaves its launch rail and accelerates to a speed of Mach 1.3 – that’s 425 metres every second or 950mph, which means it takes fewer than 20 seconds to reach a target at its maximum range of eight kilometres (five miles).

In this instance the missiles were launched at special radar-designated targets – basically lots of aluminium sheeting with radar reflectors attached – which could be picked up by the fire control system on the Apaches and by the Hellfires themselves.

“Just as we successfully proved earlier this year, the latest Hellfire firings conducted from Illustrious have once again demonstrated the combination of Army Apache helicopters launched from the deck of HMS Illustrious are a potent mix, capable of combat against targets on land and at sea anywhere in the world,” said Capt Martin Connell, Illustrious’ Commanding Officer.

His ship is Portsmouth-bound – due to arrive home on Friday – having completed her part in the Cougar 12 deployment to the Mediterranean.

Cougar saw the UK’s Response Force Task Group, led by flagship HMS Bulwark, carry out amphibious exercises with the French Navy off Corsica, then with the Albanians in the Adriatic.

Pictures: PO(Phot) Ray Jones, HMS Illustrious

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Apache on board HMS Illustrious
Apache live Hellfire firings from HMS Illustrious

Apache Hellfire Loading Apache attack helicopters from 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps, are currently onboard HMS ILLUSTRIOUS whilst she is on deployment. Today the Apache's will conduct live firings of the Hellfire missile. The missiles are stored below decks in one of the ships numerous magazines. They are brought up to the flight deck by the weapon supply team, part of the Air Engineering Department. Once safely up on deck, they will then be loaded onto the aircraft by the apache's ground crew. Pictured here are a mixed team of Army and Navy personnel moving the missiles from the magazine to the weapons lift. The missiles will then travel up to the flight deck to the waiting aircraft. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is taking part in Cougar, a three month deployment to the Mediterranean as part of the United Kingdomâs Response Force Task Group, exercising with key allies. Exercises will include Corsican Lion, which will test the maritime element of the UK-French Joined Expeditionary Force, and Exercise Albanian Lion which will provide superb faculties for the Lead commando group to train with Albanian forces, consolidating our relationship.
Apache live Hellfire firings from HMS Illustrious

Hellfire Firings Apache attack helicopters from 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps, are currently onboard HMS ILLUSTRIOUS whilst she is on deployment. Today the Apache's will conduct live firings of the Hellfire missile. The missiles are stored below decks in one of the ships numerous magazines. They are brought up to the flight deck by the weapon supply team, part of the Air Engineering Department. Once safely up on deck, they will then be loaded onto the aircraft by the apache's ground crew. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is taking part in Cougar, a three month deployment to the Mediterranean as part of the United Kingdomâs Response Force Task Group, exercising with key allies. Exercises will include Corsican Lion, which will test the maritime element of the UK-French Joined Expeditionary Force, and Exercise Albanian Lion which will provide superb faculties for the Lead commando group to train with Albanian forces, consolidating our relationship.
Apache live Hellfire firings from HMS Illustrious

Hellfire Firings Apache attack helicopters from 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps, are currently onboard HMS ILLUSTRIOUS whilst she is on deployment. Today the Apache's will conduct live firings of the Hellfire missile. The missiles are stored below decks in one of the ships numerous magazines. They are brought up to the flight deck by the weapon supply team, part of the Air Engineering Department. Once safely up on deck, they will then be loaded onto the aircraft by the apache's ground crew. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is taking part in Cougar, a three month deployment to the Mediterranean as part of the United Kingdomâs Response Force Task Group, exercising with key allies. Exercises will include Corsican Lion, which will test the maritime element of the UK-French Joined Expeditionary Force, and Exercise Albanian Lion which will provide superb faculties for the Lead commando group to train with Albanian forces, consolidating our relationship.
Apache live Hellfire firings from HMS Illustrious

Hellfire Firings Apache attack helicopters from 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps, are currently onboard HMS ILLUSTRIOUS whilst she is on deployment. Today the Apache's will conduct live firings of the Hellfire missile. The missiles are stored below decks in one of the ships numerous magazines. They are brought up to the flight deck by the weapon supply team, part of the Air Engineering Department. Once safely up on deck, they will then be loaded onto the aircraft by the apache's ground crew. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is taking part in Cougar, a three month deployment to the Mediterranean as part of the United Kingdomâs Response Force Task Group, exercising with key allies. Exercises will include Corsican Lion, which will test the maritime element of the UK-French Joined Expeditionary Force, and Exercise Albanian Lion which will provide superb faculties for the Lead commando group to train with Albanian forces, consolidating our relationship.
Apache live Hellfire firings from HMS Illustrious

Hellfire Firings Apache attack helicopters from 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps, are currently onboard HMS ILLUSTRIOUS whilst she is on deployment. Today the Apache's will conduct live firings of the Hellfire missile. The missiles are stored below decks in one of the ships numerous magazines. They are brought up to the flight deck by the weapon supply team, part of the Air Engineering Department. Once safely up on deck, they will then be loaded onto the aircraft by the apache's ground crew. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is taking part in Cougar, a three month deployment to the Mediterranean as part of the United Kingdomâs Response Force Task Group, exercising with key allies. Exercises will include Corsican Lion, which will test the maritime element of the UK-French Joined Expeditionary Force, and Exercise Albanian Lion which will provide superb faculties for the Lead commando group to train with Albanian forces, consolidating our relationship.
Apache live Hellfire firings from HMS Illustrious

Hellfire Firings Apache attack helicopters from 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps, are currently onboard HMS ILLUSTRIOUS whilst she is on deployment. Today the Apache's will conduct live firings of the Hellfire missile. The missiles are stored below decks in one of the ships numerous magazines. They are brought up to the flight deck by the weapon supply team, part of the Air Engineering Department. Once safely up on deck, they will then be loaded onto the aircraft by the apache's ground crew. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is taking part in Cougar, a three month deployment to the Mediterranean as part of the United Kingdomâs Response Force Task Group, exercising with key allies. Exercises will include Corsican Lion, which will test the maritime element of the UK-French Joined Expeditionary Force, and Exercise Albanian Lion which will provide superb faculties for the Lead commando group to train with Albanian forces, consolidating our relationship.
Apache live Hellfire firings from HMS Illustrious

Hellfire Firings Apache attack helicopters from 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps, are currently onboard HMS ILLUSTRIOUS whilst she is on deployment. Today the Apache's will conduct live firings of the Hellfire missile. The missiles are stored below decks in one of the ships numerous magazines. They are brought up to the flight deck by the weapon supply team, part of the Air Engineering Department. Once safely up on deck, they will then be loaded onto the aircraft by the apache's ground crew. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is taking part in Cougar, a three month deployment to the Mediterranean as part of the United Kingdomâs Response Force Task Group, exercising with key allies. Exercises will include Corsican Lion, which will test the maritime element of the UK-French Joined Expeditionary Force, and Exercise Albanian Lion which will provide superb faculties for the Lead commando group to train with Albanian forces, consolidating our relationship.
Apache live Hellfire firings from HMS Illustrious

Hellfire Firings Apache attack helicopters from 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps, are currently onboard HMS ILLUSTRIOUS whilst she is on deployment. This morning the Apache's conducted live firings of the Hellfire missile. The missiles are stored below decks in one of the ships numerous magazines. They are brought up to the flight deck by the weapon supply team, part of the Air Engineering Department. Once safely up on deck, they will then be loaded onto the aircraft by the apache's ground crew. These images were taken from a Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron, which was providing range clearance in support of the missile shoot. They were taken by the aircrew. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is taking part in Cougar, a three month deployment to the Mediterranean as part of the United Kingdomâs Response Force Task Group, exercising with key allies. Exercises will include Corsican Lion, which will test the maritime element of the UK-French Joined Expeditionary Force, and Exercise Albanian Lion which will provide superb faculties for the Lead commando group to train with Albanian forces, consolidating our relationship.
Apache live Hellfire firings from HMS Illustrious

Hellfire Firings Apache attack helicopters from 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps, are currently onboard HMS ILLUSTRIOUS whilst she is on deployment. This morning the Apache's conducted live firings of the Hellfire missile. The missiles are stored below decks in one of the ships numerous magazines. They are brought up to the flight deck by the weapon supply team, part of the Air Engineering Department. Once safely up on deck, they will then be loaded onto the aircraft by the apache's ground crew. These images were taken from a Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron, which was providing range clearance in support of the missile shoot. They were taken by the aircrew. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is taking part in Cougar, a three month deployment to the Mediterranean as part of the United Kingdomâs Response Force Task Group, exercising with key allies. Exercises will include Corsican Lion, which will test the maritime element of the UK-French Joined Expeditionary Force, and Exercise Albanian Lion which will provide superb faculties for the Lead commando group to train with Albanian forces, consolidating our relationship.
Apache live Hellfire firings from HMS Illustrious

Hellfire Firings Apache attack helicopters from 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps, are currently onboard HMS ILLUSTRIOUS whilst she is on deployment. This morning the Apache's conducted live firings of the Hellfire missile. The missiles are stored below decks in one of the ships numerous magazines. They are brought up to the flight deck by the weapon supply team, part of the Air Engineering Department. Once safely up on deck, they will then be loaded onto the aircraft by the apache's ground crew. These images were taken from a Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron, which was providing range clearance in support of the missile shoot. They were taken by the aircrew. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is taking part in Cougar, a three month deployment to the Mediterranean as part of the United Kingdomâs Response Force Task Group, exercising with key allies. Exercises will include Corsican Lion, which will test the maritime element of the UK-French Joined Expeditionary Force, and Exercise Albanian Lion which will provide superb faculties for the Lead commando group to train with Albanian forces, consolidating our relationship.
Apache live Hellfire firings from HMS Illustrious

Hellfire Firings Apache attack helicopters from 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps, are currently onboard HMS ILLUSTRIOUS whilst she is on deployment. This morning the Apache's conducted live firings of the Hellfire missile. The missiles are stored below decks in one of the ships numerous magazines. They are brought up to the flight deck by the weapon supply team, part of the Air Engineering Department. Once safely up on deck, they will then be loaded onto the aircraft by the apache's ground crew. These images were taken from a Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron, which was providing range clearance in support of the missile shoot. This shot shows the target being blown to bits. Good shooting fellas! HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is taking part in Cougar, a three month deployment to the Mediterranean as part of the United Kingdomâs Response Force Task Group, exercising with key allies. Exercises will include Corsican Lion, which will test the maritime element of the UK-French Joined Expeditionary Force, and Exercise Albanian Lion which will provide superb faculties for the Lead commando group to train with Albanian forces, consolidating our relationship.
Apache live Hellfire firings from HMS Illustrious

Hellfire Firings Apache attack helicopters from 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps, are currently onboard HMS ILLUSTRIOUS whilst she is on deployment. This morning the Apache's conducted live firings of the Hellfire missile. The missiles are stored below decks in one of the ships numerous magazines. They are brought up to the flight deck by the weapon supply team, part of the Air Engineering Department. Once safely up on deck, they will then be loaded onto the aircraft by the apache's ground crew. These images were taken from a Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron, which was providing range clearance in support of the missile shoot. This image shows the moment of impact. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is taking part in Cougar, a three month deployment to the Mediterranean as part of the United Kingdomâs Response Force Task Group, exercising with key allies. Exercises will include Corsican Lion, which will test the maritime element of the UK-French Joined Expeditionary Force, and Exercise Albanian Lion which will provide superb faculties for the Lead commando group to train with Albanian forces, consolidating our relationship.

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Illustrious and her Apache gunships breathe fire and fury in the Med