British frigate and helicopter fire torpedo in the Atlantic

HMS Somerset and her embarked Merlin helicopter have completed anti-submarine warfare exercises in the Atlantic, including the release of a training torpedo during live work-up drills.

The Royal Navy say here that the Type 23 frigate, which resumed patrol duties in April operating around home waters and in the ocean between the UK and Norway, carried out the exercises with Menace Flight from 814 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.

Having located a simulated underwater threat, the Merlin released a Sting Ray Training Variant Torpedo, a version fitted with sensors rather than explosives, with a drogue parachute slowing its descent before detaching on hitting the water. The crew reported to Somerset’s operations room with the NATO code word “Bloodhound loose,” a warning to friendly vessels to remain clear of a torpedo in the water.

Each Merlin can carry up to four Sting Ray torpedoes. During the exercise, aircrew returned to the ship to rearm with rotors running, with engineers working under the roar of the helicopter’s three engines and the downdraft of its rotor blades to load a replacement weapon. Further exercises included day and night in-flight refuelling, cargo transfers and night operations procedures. The flight also operates reconnaissance drones to extend the warship’s sensor range, part of the Royal Navy’s drive to combine crewed and uncrewed aviation in routine duties.

Commander Ed Holland, Commanding Officer of 814 Naval Air Squadron, said the training built “essential teamwork between the frigate and the helicopter crews,” describing the Merlin Mk2 as “at home in the frigate” with its suite of radar, sonar, sonobuoys and torpedoes. “The environment can be testing, with high sea states and freezing temperatures, however the ship and aircraft must be able to perform to their very best 24/7, whatever the conditions,” he said.

HMS Somerset took over patrol duties from HMS St Albans last month, with the handover involving the escort of a Russian destroyer and support ship through the English Channel and the North Sea.