THE Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) successfully fired two AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles (AShM) for the first time from the P-8A Poseidon at the decommissioned Austin-class amphibious transport dock USS Juneau during Exercise Valiant Shield, scoring direct hits with both missiles. Supplied by the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the RNZAF fired a total of four such missiles.
In coordination with one more P-8A from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Poseidon and another pair from the United States Navy (USN), the RNZAF Poseidon and crew from No. 5 Squadron successfully detected, identified and fired the two Harpoons in addition to other weapons from air, surface vessels and submarines also employed to sink the target. The P-8A Poseidon can be armed with Harpoon missiles, used to strike ships accurately from at least 100 kilometres away with this firing demonstrating the fleet’s utility as a strike capability against surface targets and highlighting the ability to work seamlessly with a partner.
During the sinking exercise (SINKEX), a US Air Force B-2 Spirit bomber also took part in the strike on the decommissioned warship with the firing of a stealth AGM-158C LRASM (Long Range Anti Ship Missile) designed to detect and destroy enemy ships at long ranges. Developed by the US, its is a key component in the military’s counter-maritime strike operations. A Department of War (DOW) release read:” With the deployment of the LRASM from the B-2, the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) has another tool in countering maritime threats. This milestone showcased high-end innovation reinforcing the War Department’s commitment to safeguarding national interests and maintaining global security.”
The Juneau was also targeted by an unspecified JMSDF submarine, which hit the target with a torpedo. USN F-35Cs and F/A-18 Super Hornets from the USS George Washington aircraft carrier supported the exercise too. The biennial multi-domain Exercise Valiant Shield involved aircraft, ships and submarines from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Japan and the US, marking the first time New Zealand participated in the exercise which tested tactics and procedures, and developed interchangeability and interoperability in the air, space, sea, land and cyberspace domains while Japan marked its second participation in the drills.
During the anti-submarine warfare phase of the exercise, the RNZAF Poseidon operated as part of a task force to find, track and conduct simulated MK54 torpedo attacks against multiple submarines. The task force included a RAAF Poseidon, USN Poseidons, the Canadian Halifax-class frigate HMCS Charlottetown, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (JMSDF) Izumo-class cruiser JS Kaga and Akizuki-class destroyer JS Fuyuzuki, and the United States’ George Washington Carrier Strike Group (CSG).–shp/adj/dl (Pix:AUS DOD, DVIDS)
