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 destroyer faces onslaught of drones and missiles as they ‘defend’ national infrastructure
26 February 2026
Royal Navy destroyer HMS Duncan battled an onslaught of drones, aircraft and missiles as she ‘defended’ critical national infrastructure in a concentrated test off the coast of Wales.
The Portsmouth-based warship headed to the Aberporth Range in Cardigan Bay for 72 hours to face attacks from swarms of surface and aerial drones moving up to 200mph, as well as virtual missiles, to ensure the ship is ready to defend against whatever modern naval threat is thrown against her.
The training – codenamed Sharpshooter – is designed to replicate the intense stresses and strains of real-life operations, like the conditions faced by HMS Diamond in the Red Sea as the Houthis fired drones and missiles from Yemen at merchant shipping in 2024.
HMS Duncan and her attack helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron used their advanced weapons, radars and sensors to identify, track and neutralise the attacks – including firing Martlet air-to-air missiles, heavy machine guns, Phalanx Automated Gun, 30mm gun and the 4.5in naval gun.
HMS Duncan’s Commanding Officer, Commander Dan Lee, said: “Sharpshooter was an invaluable opportunity to test our systems and our people in a demanding environment.
“The ship’s company rose to every challenge, delivering successful layered‑defence engagements while simultaneously dealing with realistic damage‑control scenarios.
“I am immensely proud of how the team performed; their dedication ensures that HMS Duncan remains ready to fight and ready to protect.”
Duncan operated in Defence Watches throughout Sharpshooter – meaning the ship maintained a high-readiness posture, while responding simultaneously to internal incidents, including fighting fires and damage control.
The ship was able to maintain combat effectiveness and fight off continued threats while dealing with these incidents around the clock, day and night.
Able Rating Jaya Furnell (Above Water Tactical): “I don’t normally get to fire at live moving targets, so it was a brilliant experience. I focused, took the shot on my Heavy Machine Gun, and the Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle went down in six rounds. It was exciting to claim the first kill of the exercise.”
The warfighting scenario placed Duncan within a notional task group protecting critical national Infrastructure and restoring maritime security in a highly contested region.
The training was delivered by the Royal Navy’s specialist Fleet Operational Standards and Training teams and defence firms QinetiQ and Inzpire.
They faced Hammerhead Uncrewed Surface Vessels able to travel up to 50mph on the water, as well as QinetiQ’s Banshee Whirlwind aerial drone capable of flying at over 200mph.
They also shot at simulated maritime vessels, aircraft and mock cruise and ballistic missiles – with Duncan virtually ‘firing’ her Sea Viper system.
The ship’s Wildcat helicopter engaged targets using its Martlet missiles, which can hit targets up to six kilometres away.
HMS Duncan met their overall objectives of Sharpshooter by tracking and neutralising five aerial targets and sinking two Hammerheads.
Petty Officer James Ings, a maintainer of Duncan’s 4.5in gun, said: “It was a good week for the gun. We put more than 200 rounds down it and did some proper naval gunfire support as well.
“The 30mm medium calibre gun threw up a few faults, but that’s engineering – you figure it out and you get it working again. Each time we fixed it, it was back up for the next shoot. That’s the job, and it was good to see it doing what it’s meant to do.”
Will Blamey Chief Executive, UK Defence, QinetiQ, added: “We are proud to deliver dynamic, real-life scenarios that best-prepare our armed forces for the complex warfare challenges of today and tomorrow.
“Our combination of live and synthetic threats mean we can evolve training scenarios to ensure we are providing the very latest in threat representation, helping our warfighters to achieve mission-readiness at pace.”