Exeter's adopted Royal Navy ship, HMS Defender, is ready to deploy after successfully firing her main weapon.
For the first time HMS Defender has fired her Sea Viper missile – the Royal Navy's principal shield against air attack.
Seconds after bursting free from its silo, the 310kg (683lb) missile was hurtling through the Atlantic skies at nearly four times the speed of sound.
Its prey was a Mirach – an unarmed 13ft remote-controlled jet which flies at speeds of up to of 530kts (more than 600mph) from altitudes as low as 10ft or as high as 40,000ft.
It was smashed clean out of the sky by Sea Viper, proving the warship's ability to live up to her name and defend the Fleet.
"HMS Defender has today proven her worth as the Royal Navy's ultimate air defender," said her Commanding Officer Commander Phil Nash.
"I am extremely proud of my ship's company who have worked tirelessly to make this firing a success.
"We now look forward to our first operational deployment, defending the UK's interests wherever tasked around the world."
HMS Defender is now returning to Portsmouth to undertake a short period of maintenance and some well-earned leave for her sailors, before departing the UK on her first operational deployment
