HMAS Melbourne fires Evolved Sea Sparrows

The HMAS Melbourne Adelaide-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy fired two Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles off the New South Wales coast on 24 June.

The missiles were fired against two unmanned aerial targets that were launched from Beecroft Range, Jervis Bay, as part of the vessel's operational training programme. HMAS Melbourne used its MK-41 Vertical Launch System to deploy the missiles and successfully engage the target.

Cmdr Bill Waters, commanding officer, HMAS Melbourne, said: 'We do extensive simulation, but by conducting a live missile firing we validate this training and prove the accuracy and precision of our combat systems.'

The Evolved Sea Sparrow is a semi-active, medium-range homing missile that 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.