Joint Warrior Pyrotechnics – Exercise Joint Warrior provided the opportunity for much pyrotechnics off western Scotland (Outer Hebrides).  The Type 42 Destroyer EDINBURGH, probably the last time launched SEADART anti-aircraft missiles with no less than seven of the Mach 2 missiles aimed at target drone.      SEADART first say operational service in the Falklands conflict (1982), downing seven enemy aircraft – and, a decade later, in the Gulf War (1991) the Type 42 Destroyer GLOUCESTER shot down an Iraqi SILKWORM missile as it headed for the American battleship USS MISSOURI  – the first time a missile has shot down another missile.     SEADART has had a 40 year history with the Royal Navy and equipped the Type 82 Destroyer BRISTOL, the Type 42 Destroyers and the Invincible Class Aircraft Carriers.   Of the Type 42 Destroyers only the YORK and EDINBURGH remain in service but will soon disappear and SEADART will no longer be operational.

Meanwhile from the decks if the Helicopter Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS (without SEADART) two APACHE  helicopters from 656 Squadron Army Air Corps fired one HELLFIRE missile each at a training target positioned by the ILLUSTRIOUS in the sea off northern Scotland during the first of this year's two Joint Warrior war games.