Sep 08 - Navy, Air Force successfully test fire missile
On the 5th of September an air-to-surface live missile firing was successfully conducted in a joint exercise involving New Zealand’s Navy and Air Force.
In a joint operation utilising the Navy Frigate HMNZS Te Kaha, Naval Seasprite Helicopters from 6 Squadron and an Air Force P3 Orion, an AGM65 Maverick air-to-surface missile were test fired at 9.45am.
Image Right: Live firing of a maverick missile from a Seasprite launched from the Navy's frigate HMNZS Te Kaha (WN 08-0048-75).
Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Tony Parr says that in a first, the Maverick was fired from a Naval Seasprite Helicopter against a target at sea east of Great Barrier Island. “This is an important demonstration of the Seasprite and Maverick missile capability. It is also a very good example of sailors and airmen working together to bring to bear that capability,” he says. “The activity involved a ‘start to finish’ validation of current Royal New Zealand Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force standing operating procedures, orders and instructions, and to verify the Seasprite as a firing platform for the Maverick missile.”
Commodore Parr says the ‘Maverick’ missile was introduced to service seven years ago by the New Zealand Defence Force but this was the first live-firing from a SH-2G (NZ) Seasprite, against either maritime or land targets. “Regular weapons firings are part of our development and maintenance of operational capability,” he said. “Exercises like today’s allow air and ground crews to practice preparation, loading and firing procedures – as well as the handling of live forward firing ordnance on board our ships.”
Commander Mat Williams, Commanding Officer of HMNZS Te Kaha says: “The firing was very successful, the air-to-surface missile performed as expected and has proven the capability”.
ENDS
For further information please contact Elizabeth Lincoln, Assistant Public Relations Manager (Navy) Mob: 021-888649.
Video Footage of the firing is available from Leading Edge Media. Please contact Malcolm Clement, 021 807 718.
Notes for Editors:
TE KAHA is one of two frigates, the other being TE MANA, that make up New Zealand’s Naval combat force. In the last year they contributed a total of 247 sea days participating in coalition maritime operations in the Persian Gulf, and a range of bilateral exercise and training with countries such as Malaysia, Japan, Singapore and Australia.
In addition, they worked alongside our Naval support forces including the multi role vessel Canterbury, as well as the Endeavour, Kiwi, Kahu, Resolution and Wakakura delivering:
- 61 days at sea conducting good will/diplomacy visits with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ports in Western Samoa, Malaysia, Japan, China, the Phillipines, Australia, United Arab Emirites, Qatar and Bahrain
- 85 days at sea supporting fisheries patrols off the New Zealand coast
- 90 days at sea patrolling in support of the NZ Customs Service; and were available and responded to maritime emergencies.