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LONDON (BNS): HMS Dragon has successfully tested her Sea Viper weapon system by knocking a target out of the sky at the Outer Hebrides missile range off Scotland.

The UK Ministry of Defence in a statement said, the firing exercise took place last week off the west coast of Scotland marking the start of an intense work-up period for the Navy's newest Type 45 destroyer.

Dragon's Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Duncan MacRae of the Royal Australian Navy, said, "This was a great demonstration of the capability of a Type 45 and a reassurance of system performance.

"I have been involved in a couple of missile shoots but this one was by far and away the most rewarding as I was in the hot seat giving the order to engage," he said.

Lieutenant Commander Kevin Miller, Dragon's Weapons Engineering Officer said, "The engineering behind the scenes to ensure that the missile accurately reaches the target and destroys it is immense.

"The Sea Viper missile itself is just one small component of the Principle Anti Air Missile System that comprises some advanced radars and powerful computers to do all the maths involved in an engagement."

Portsmouth-based HMS Dragon is now undertaking maritime security operations and has a visit to Northern Ireland planned during a break from an intensive testing period. After the summer the ship will team up with Flag Officer Sea Training off the south west coast of England before advanced training with a French carrier battle group.