Navy News
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.
Royal Navy Wildcats prepare for global mission with missile exercise
4 April 2025
Royal Navy attack helicopters have been proving their prowess in taking down a range of threats as they prepare to deploy to the Indo-Pacific.
The Wildcat helicopters from Yeovilton-based 815 Naval Air Squadron have spent the start of 2025 getting ready to deal with any potential adversaries when they accompany the UK Carrier Strike Group, which deploys this spring.
The aircraft have shot down target drones using air-to-air missiles and also sharpened their skills in responding to surface-to-air attacks.
Off the coast of Cornwall, 815 NAS used Martlet missiles to eliminate Banshee jet-powered drones flown by the Royal Navy’s drone experts 700X NAS.
Codenamed Talon Strike, this was a practical test of the navy’s ability to provide air defence against incoming drones, ahead of the deployment led by flagship HMS Prince of Wales.
The aircrew practised locking their weapons on to the high-speed drones in various shooting positions before ending each encounter by launching missiles to destroy each Banshee.
Banshee flight commander Lieutenant Tony Nairn said: “This event marks the culmination of two years of hard work for team Banshee.
“The engagement with the Wildcat further evidences the Banshee as a valued commodity among the war-fighting community. This is a sign of the ever-developing modern threat.”
The simulation of surface to air threats provides crews with an invaluable training opportunity
Prior to Talon Strike, 815 NAS and their Wildcats took part in a week-long exercise of tactical training at RAF Spadeadam.
The Cumbrian air station offers a unique tactical playground to interact and defeat replica threats through a combination of low-level navigation with defensive manoeuvres and live firing to counter attacks.
The exercise allowed the squadron’s frontline aircrew to develop and refine tactics for defending against surface-to-air threats, with a range of scenarios.
Lieutenant Connor Osborne, from 815 NAS, said: “The simulation of surface to air threats provides crews with an invaluable training opportunity allowing them to develop their tactics in warfighting whilst simultaneously ensuring the protection of the aircraft.
“The exercise allows aircrew to train using representative threats and is critical to maintain our readiness as a front-line maritime attack helicopter force."
Lieutenant Tom Horne added: “Utilising the facilities at Spadeadam is key in ensuring our frontline crews remain tactically proficient and ready to deploy on operations globally."
815 NAS have also been working with allies and partners as part of their Carrier Strike Group preparation, having recently returned from Norway for Exercise Tamber Shield.
In the harsh environments of the Norwegian fjords, the helicopters trained with the frigate HNoMS Otto Sverdrup and the tanker HNoMS Maud.