British Navy's new lightweight multi-role Missile Martlet is being tested. It's designed for rapid response to a variety surface threats. This versatile missile can be fired both from air platforms and from sea platforms. This makes it ideal to integrate onto unmanned aircraft.
Martlets are capable delivering large warheads which enable them to penetrate targets further away. They can also penetrate targets at greater distances than the 30mm cannons currently used by the Royal Navy. They can be fitted to have different blast effects or can be used as targets for sensitive targets.
Martlets are equipped with a laser-ranging proximity detector that triggers small fragmentation weapons. In the terminal phase, the missile switches to an imaging infrared seeker to ensure it will hit the target. This makes them virtually impossible decoys. The missile will switch to a higher-power module if the laser beam is interrupted.
In 2021, the UK is expected to adopt the Martlet into its arsenal. However, it is not known when that will happen. While the missile is capable, there are some issues that must be considered when planning combat sorties. It lacks a visible warning system that is effective. Without proper viewing, it's difficult to identify which plane or vessel is launching. It is possible for a missile to shoot down a boat or helicopter, but it is difficult to determine if that's happening.
Martlets aren’t the only lightweight multirole missiles in production. The MBDA Sea Venom can travel twice as far as the Martlet, and it has twice its range. The MBDA Starburst missile was also designed to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Thales Lightweight Multi-role Missiles are also available (LMM).
They were deployed to Ukraine where they were reportedly used by Ukrainian troops in a real conflict. Martlet MANPADS (light-guided antiaircraft missiles) aren't in wide use in the UK army. However, they were delivered to several military units and it is possible that they will be there in time for next conflict.
Martlets were initially designed to protect against boat attacks by swarming boats. They're also capable of deflecting UAVs and other unknown types of aircraft. Their range is also longer than standard 30mm cannons which have a limited ability to engage targets simultaneously. Their high flight speed increases their range. These missiles also carry telemetry, which helps measure the accuracy of their launches.
Martlets can travel eight kilometers, and can be fired from both sea and air platforms. They can be mounted in five- and seven-tube clusters. Some are intended for Wildcat helicopters in Royal Navy. HMS Sutherland is currently testing Martlets. Four Martlets were fired during the test from a quintuple mounted on the ship’s 30-mm cannon.
The launchers of Martlets are similar to those of the Starstreak portable air-defense missile. Martlets can be fired remotely from remote-controlled cannons.