British Warship to Join US MDA R&D Trials

Building on its relationship with the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) a Royal Navy Type 45 frigate will take part in major research trials.

The joint Ministry of Defence and industry-run UK Missile Defence Centre (MDC) has agreed to take part in trials which will include testing the Sampson radar, part of the Sea Viper missile system, in detecting and tracking ballistic targets.

While there is no programme to fit Type 45 with Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence (TBMD) capability, much of the MDC’s research over recent years has been geared towards understanding potential the Royal Navy’s newest destroyers may have in this arena.

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