Littoral combat ship USS Jackson has successfully fired a SeaRAM missile against an aerial drone, destroying the target.
The drone was simulating an anti-ship missile as part of a Combat System Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT) event to demonstrate the self-defence capability of the ship against an aerial target.
Cmdr. Patrick Keller, Jackson’s commanding officer said:
“I couldn’t be more proud of my crew and all the hard work we have put forth in preparing for and accomplishing the CSSQT events.
It’s been a long journey, with a lot of training, effort and dedication.
These events further demonstrate that my team is ready to fight and defend Jackson, and that our ship is ready when called. I couldn’t be happier with the results.”
In a statement to the press, the US Navy said:
“CSSQT events are designed to test the ship’s ability to track and disable high-speed maneuvering surface targets and defeat long range anti-shipping air threats.
Planned and coordinated by the LCS Shipbuilding Program Office, the CSSQT included firing exercises using the 57mm gun against a fast attack craft. Jackson’s crew, along with personnel from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, completed each scenario successfully and exercised Jackson’s combat systems suite.”
Any modest achievement by these poor vessels get’s so much back slapping.