Warship's missile blast as she prepares for mission in the Atlantic
A sharp column of smoke shoots up through the sky from the grey decks of a Portsmouth warship.
This dramatic shot was taken off Scotland's Hebrides Islands as HMS Liverpool fired her Sea Dart missiles.
The Sea Dart system is the main defence for a Type 42 destroyer, and it was being tested as Liverpool prepared for Exercise Auriga 2010.
She is due to join the Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Ark Royal next month, sailing to the east coast of America to take part in exercises until August.
Liverpool fired two Sea Dart missiles in the Western approaches in a joint firing exercise with fellow Portsmouth destroyer HMS Manchester.
The missiles were launched at a remote-controlled target simulating an enemy air attack.
Liverpool's weapon engineering officer, Lieutenant Commander Neil Shaw, said: 'Liverpool conducted a successful High Seas Firing using all aspects of the Sea Dart missile system. 'She can now assume the role of area air defender to the task group.
'She is a capable asset with a competent ships company and is well-prepared for everything the coming exercises can throw at her.'
Sea Dart is capable of taking down supersonic aircraft and incoming missiles, but Liverpool also tested her 4.5in Mark 8 gun, firing rounds at the shore from the sea to show she can defend ships at sea and troops on the ground.
Liverpool is now working with the Auriga task force on Exercise Joint Warrior in Scotland, which is the final milestone before the group leaves for America.
The Portsmouth-based aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, which was called to be on standby during the Iceland volcano ash crisis, has rejoined the training.
The task force includes the frigate HMS Sutherland, Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Fort George, French submarine FS Perle and the US destroyer USS Barry.
They will be supported by an amphibious force made up of the Plymouth-based HMS Ocean and the RFA vessel Largs Bay, with Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade and navy helicopters.
HMS Liverpool is one of the last Type 42s to be working in the navy's fleet, as the new Type 45 Daring class ships are being introduced.
She came out of refit last year in Portsmouth and was one of the ships to be part of a games console trial for teaching sailors engineering.
In November more than 200 Sony PSP games consoles were handed out to give sailors interactive coaching.
>> Vote in our latest web poll.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
