Each Wildcat can now be equipped with up to four Sea Venoms, giving crews the ability to engage several targets per sortie or focus a concentrated strike on a single threat. The missile is designed to take on larger warships such as corvettes and patrol vessels, while the Wildcat also continues to carry Martlet missiles for dealing with smaller threats.
The IOC milestone was achieved during Operation Highmast, the Royal Navy’s Indo-Pacific deployment led by HMS Prince of Wales. Four Wildcats from 815 Naval Air Squadron are currently armed with Sea Venom across the Carrier Strike Group, operating from HMS Prince of Wales, HMS Dauntless, and the Norwegian frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen.
Commander James Woods, Commanding Officer of 815 Naval Air Squadron, said: “The introduction of Sea Venom is a step-change in our combat power. It delivers a lethal combination of precision, reach, and flexibility that allows us to strike decisively against a wide spectrum of threats in the maritime, coastal, and land domains.”
He added: “Most importantly, it gives us the ability to neutralise those threats at range. This is a transformational capability for the Fleet Air Arm, and ensures that we are ready to defend and protect NATO and Allied interests at home and abroad.”
Sea Venom is part of the Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW) programme and serves as its long-range element, with the Martlet missile covering shorter ranges. The missile uses an ‘operator-in-the-loop’ system, allowing real-time guidance updates during flight through infrared imagery sent back to the controller.
Optimised for targeting larger vessels, Sea Venom can also engage coastal installations and land targets with high precision. This increases the flexibility and reach of Royal Navy air power in a variety of mission scenarios.
Commodore James Blackmore, Commander UK Carrier Strike Group, said: “Achieving Initial Operating Capability with Sea Venom is another milestone in ensuring the Carrier Strike Group remains a world-class, combat ready force. It strengthens our ability to safeguard the maritime environment, reassure allies, and deters adversaries.”
He continued: “This capability ensures our aircrew can operate with confidence against a wide spectrum of threats, reinforcing the UKs commitment to delivering decisive air power at and from the sea.”
Commander Andrew Henderson, Commander of the Wildcat Maritime Force, said: “The integration of Sea Venom into a Ship’s Wildcat Flight at sea represents a significant enhancement to the Royal Navy’s lethality via its ability to strike targets at range. It’s precision, range, and versatility ensures that our frontline crews are equipped to meet the challenges of a multi domain and complex environment.”
