Air Force and Navy test air-to-surface missiles - NZ

The New Zealand Navy and Air Force successfully test-fired two air-to-surface missiles in a joint exercise on Friday.

The operation - utilising the Navy Frigate Te Kaha, Naval Seasprite Helicopters from 6 Squadron and an Air Force P3 Orion - saw two AGM65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles launched against two targets at sea east of Great Barrier Island.

Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Tony Parr said the operation was an important demonstration of the Seasprite and Maverick missile capability.

"It is also a very good example of sailors and airmen working together to bring to bear that capability," he said.

"The activity involved a 'start to finish' validation of current Royal New Zealand Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force standing operating procedures, orders and instructions, and to verify the Seasprite as a firing platform for the Maverick missile."

Commodore Parr said the Maverick missile was introduced to service seven years ago by the New Zealand Defence Force but this was the first live-firing from a SH-2G (NZ) Seasprite, against either maritime or land targets.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• seasprite
• navy
• missile
• maverick
• political
• commercial
• commentary
• analysis
• grassroots
• outreach
• news
• documentary
• gotcha!

[jamin69]

There goes 1/2 the defense budget for this year!

[yogicolonial]

no one cares if our seasprites carry mavericks. they would never risk loosing one to attack anything anyway! p.s we need some damn jets. they actually look scary to japanese fishermen.

[DarthFanta]

Without a force of fighters, the NZ may as well as reintegrate the air force back into the army and the navy or renaming it to Government Air Service.

[nzravensfan]

Pity that helicopter is a sitting duck against ANY fighter jet

[ReturnOfTheSkyRaider]

@earthwormjah

ha

[Timmyboy505]

It's sad to see a great military like the RNZAF to be restrained by budget cuts, etc etc

the same thing is happening to my country the Netherlands, I can understand that both countries are not like america and, but for godsakes if you send men to Afghanistan or Iraq, have the desecency to at least give them the tools they need

[MATARIKI1000]

Is this aircraft from NZ

[earthwormjah]

Tests with rocket powered rabid sheep proved inconclusive....

[Kirkzzy]

@australian1000 It is getting shaken up with the Key government. I am a centrist, leaning Labour though but honestly Key needs to stay in. He is improving NZs international standing! Fixing up Clarke's mess.

[seenitdoneit]

launching MEVRICK

[australian1000]

I don't get all of this. why sell all of your jets and only have two ANZAC's who is that meant to stop? And you can't leave your Defence to Australia what happens if we come under attack? who is going to help us apart from the USA and UK, but most important who is going to save you?? i think it is time that the kiwi's had a go at their government and told them to give their Defence force some more money. P.S while your at it tell the Australian government to give the ADF some more too lol.