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Australian ship fires missile in preparation for Middle East deployment

Australian frigate HMAS Melbourne fires missiles to hone combat skills prior to deployment to the Middle East.

By Richard Tomkins

CANBERRA, Australia, June 26 (UPI) -- A Royal Australian Navy frigate scheduled for counter-terror and counter-narcotics duty in the Middle East has successfully fired Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles.

The Australian Department of Defense said the test firing of the two missiles by the HMAS Melbourne was to reinforce the crew's war-fighting and mariner skills.

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"We do extensive simulation, but by conducting a live missile firing we validate this training and prove the accuracy and precision of our combat systems," said CMDR Bil Waters, commander of the ship said.

The Melbourne used its MK-41 Vertical Launch System for the test, which was conducted against two unmanned aerial targets off the coast of New South Wales earlier this week.

The Evolved Sea Sparrow missile used is a medium-range, semi-active homing missile that makes flight corrections via radar and midcourse data uplinks. It can be used against surface-to-air and surface-to-surface targets.

The Melbourne will deploy to the Middle East later this year as part of the international effort to promote security and stability in the Middle East region.

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