The British Royal Navy’s Wildcat helicopter has successfully conducted its first live-fire test of the Sea Venom anti-ship missile.
Carried out at a Ministry of Defence testing range in Wales, the trial marks a significant advancement in the Wildcat’s offensive capabilities, equipping it to engage large surface threats, such as frigates.
This successful test is a key step toward enhancing the Royal Navy’s firepower as it prepares for future carrier strike deployments, including those scheduled for 2025 and beyond.
The Sea Venom missile features an infrared imaging seeker with a “fire-and-forget” capability, enabling the missile to independently track targets after launch.
With these upgrades, the Wildcat helicopter is set to bolster the Royal Navy’s ability to counter surface threats with precision and autonomy, reinforcing the UK’s maritime power in an increasingly contested global landscape.
