The UK lauded the test of the laser air defense weapon, developed by Britain’s defense innovation unit, just weeks after an American admiral said it was time to be more "intellectually honnest" about what the class of weapons can do.
Launcher set up at UK MoD Hebrides for GQM-163A firings
11 May 2021
by Richard Scott
A US launcher asset dating from the late 1960s has been installed on the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) Hebrides range off northwest Scotland ahead of the 10-nation ‘At Sea Demonstration/Formidable Shield 2021’ (‘ASD/FS21’) integrated air and missile defence exercise.
The modified AML 4K3 twin-arm launcher will be used to launch Northrop Grumman GQM-163A Coyote supersonic sea-skimming missile targets during ‘Formidable Shield’. The launcher installation has been managed by the US Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Detachment (NSWC PHD).
A modified AML 43K launcher has been installed at the MoD Hebrides Range for the upcoming ‘ASD/FS21’ exercise. The launcher will be used to launch the Northrop Grumman GQM-163A Coyote supersonic sea-skimming missile target. (US Navy)