Behind the Penguin Missile Launch

17 Maret 2025

HMNZS Te Kaha and the Seasprite helicopter working as part of the Combined Task Force 150 (photo: ADF)

The Penguin, which replaced the Maverick air-to-ground missile, is propelled at high subsonic speed by a solid rocket engine which has an operational range of more than 34km.

The missile, which carries a 120kg high explosive warhead, is designed to skim above the sea and penetrate targets at their waterline. The warhead has a delay fuse which detonates inside the target.

Royal New Zealand Air Force No. 6 Squadron armament technician Sergeant (SGT) Shaun Lindsay explained the trade’s crucial role in the successful missile launch and why the live-fire training was so beneficial.

In a world-first a Seasprite helicopter has launched a Penguin anti-ship guided missile. And, as expected, it was right on target (photo: NZDF)

“Whenever a weapon is loaded to an aircraft it is key to have an armourer leading the work. There are different variants of missile, in this case it was a live high-explosive variant.”

The helicopter and crew were embarked on HMNZS Te Kaha, which is deploying to the Arabian Sea in support of CTF150 (Combined Task Force 150).

“We deployed a few extra armourers on the ship so we could spread the experience and knowledge. While we do training evolutions with non-live weapons fairly regularly, it’s rare that we get the chance to go out and do it in a more realistic environment, so it was really valuable to the trade.

Penguin missile aboard Seasprite helos (photo: NZDF)

“We obviously never want to have to use these weapons, but somebody needs to know how to use them and we signed up for that job,” SGT Lindsay said.

The live-fire missile launch required specialist training and experience for it to be completed successfully, he said.

“The weapon needed to be loaded onto the aircraft and then prepared – the wings have to be fitted, canards, which are hydraulically actuated to steer the missile, have to be fitted, as well as safety checks made to ensure the missile will function as intended.

A Seasprite helicopter armed with a Penguin Missile (photo: NZDF)

“It’s always a good opportunity to put that into practise because at the end of the day if the nation needs us to stand up at short notice, we need to be able to provide that.”

SGT Lindsay was tracking the mission from No. 6 Squadron at Base Auckland at the time.

“I was expecting it to go well, but I was pleased it was a success. It’s nice to have the confirmation that what we’ve been training for, and the evolutions with the non-live weapons we use, that when done on a live weapon it all goes as planned.

Successful Penguin Missile launch from a Seasprite helicopter (photo: NZDF)

“You can learn plenty in theory, but there’s more that can be learnt from witnessing live events.”

The team was able to see data from the launch and see what the target looked like after it was hit.

The target after impact (photo: NZDF)

“It was interesting to look at the target – it wasn’t what a lot of people would have expected to see. Many probably expected to see that target was shattered into pieces, but because of the weapon design, the result was quite different. It was good to show that other non-armament personnel involved how the weapon works.”

“Everyone valued the experience and we took a lot away from it. It was nice to be able to show the force what our value adds.”

(NZDF)