HMAS Melbourne fires Sea Sparrow
HMAS Melbourne has launched an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile in a test off the east coast of Australia, the Royal Australian Navy announced on 8 November.
The testing saw the vessel’s combat management system track and engage a UAS target drone, proving the weapon’s ability to protect the vessel in a hostile environment.
Melbourne's Air Warfare Officer, Lieutenant Rhys Ryan, said the activity went smoothly.
'The firing took months of preparation to understand the combat system, and how its various components integrated with each other.
'Our mission is to fight and win at sea, and the test was not only important in proving our combat system works but to give confidence to our ship’s company in our war fighting ability.'
The ESSM is designed for anti-ship missile defence. The semi-active, medium-range homing missile can conduct mid-course flight corrections through radar and data uplinks. It can engage surface-to-surface and surface-to-air targets and is used by Australian frigates.
The test was conducted as part of Melbourne’s three week sea qualification trials following a period of dry docking and maintenance.
More from Defence Notes
-
Amazon Project Kuiper offers network-centric approach to sovereignty of space systems (Studio)
Shephard's Alix Valenti interviewed Project Kuiper's Don Brown at DSEI 2025, discussing the company's innovative approach to sovereignty of space communications systems, which focuses on being able to control the network rather than ownership of satellite constellations.
-
Amazon Project Kuiper emphasises user-friendly solutions for multi-domain connectivity (Studio)
At DSEI 2025, Shephard's Alix Valenti spoke to Project Kuiper's Rich Pang about the importance of enabling seamless communication between allied forces such as NATO members in challenging operational environments.
-
Amazon Project Kuiper teams up with GRC to offer governments unprecedented capabilities (Studio)
At DSEI 2025, Amazon Project Kuiper's Don Brown and GRC's Steve Slater talked to Shephard's Alix Valenti about how their partnership can offer unique capabilities in defence SATCOM to government customers, with a focus on assurance, security and choice.
-
DSEI 2025: Raytheon UK CEO highlights RTX skills, innovation and UK footprint
At DSEI 2025, James Gray, Managing Director and CEO of Raytheon UK (part of RTX), outlines the company’s century-long presence in the UK and its evolving role across defence, aerospace, cyber, and training domains.
-
Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft
The procurement and acceleration production plans – some of which still await approval – across the air and land domains will aim to strengthen the operational needs of the Israel Defense Forces.
-
US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities
This shift is planned to accelerate the procurement and fielding of capabilities. As part of this strategy, the US also intends modernise its regulations in an attempt to change its bureaucratic and risk-averse culture.