US and UK Forces Sink Decommissioned Warship USS Klakring in Live-Fire Exercise Off Scotland's Outer Hebrides

A retired United States Navy warship was sent to the bottom of the North Atlantic last week during a joint live-fire training exercise involving American forces and the Royal Navy, in a demonstration of increasingly sophisticated maritime strike capabilities.

The decommissioned USS Klakring, a guided missile frigate that spent three decades in service, was struck by missiles and a torpedo before sinking approximately 170 miles (274km) west of the Outer Hebrides. The vessel went down at the Ministry of Defence's Hebrides range, a facility long used for complex weapons testing and military training.

The sinking formed part of Exercise Atlantic Thunder 2026, an annual multinational drill designed to hone the skills of naval crews in realistic combat scenarios. The exercise brought together personnel and assets from both the US Navy and Britain's Royal Navy, underscoring the close defence relationship between the two allies.

According to the US Navy, the former frigate was subjected to fire from USS Paul Ignatius, which launched a missile at the target, while USS Massachusetts delivered a torpedo strike. The combined assault ensured the ship was destroyed in a controlled manner, providing valuable data and experience for the crews involved.

The Royal Navy used the opportunity to test its own "ship-busting" arsenal. HMS Portland, a Type 23 frigate, fired a Naval Sea Missile (NSM) — an advanced sea-skimming weapon capable of travelling at close to supersonic speeds and striking targets more than 100 miles away. The missile represents a significant upgrade in the Royal Navy's anti-ship capabilities, allowing vessels to engage threats at range while remaining beyond the reach of many enemy defences.

In addition, HMS Portland's embarked Wildcat helicopter launched Sea Venom missiles at the target. The Royal Navy described the event as the first live firing of these weapons from a Wildcat helicopter against a realistic target. The milestone highlights the growing integration of aerial and naval strike platforms, enabling smaller warships to project power over greater distances.

USS Klakring entered service in 1983 and was decommissioned in 2013 after 30 years of operations. The ship was named after Rear Admiral Thomas B Klakring, a decorated submarine commander who received three US Navy Crosses for his actions during World War Two. Its final mission as a target vessel marks a stark contrast to its previous role as a frontline warship.

Before the live-firing began, the US Navy carried out what it described as a rigorous cleaning process to remove contaminants and old equipment from the hulk. Personnel also conducted checks for the presence of whales and dolphins in the area, reflecting the environmental precautions required before such exercises. A spokesperson emphasised that sinking exercises are prepared in strict compliance with environmental regulations.

"The extensive preparations for the exercise include putting the hulk through a rigorous cleaning process to remove contaminants and old equipment, thereby assuring that the environmental impact of the exercise is minimal," the spokesperson said. They added that sinking specially prepared ex-navy vessels offers a practical method for conducting large-scale training of the type needed to meet the high standards required by the armed forces.

The practice of using decommissioned warships as targets is well established. Other vessels, including an aircraft carrier in 2006, have been deliberately sunk by the US as part of training programmes. In some cases, such sinkings also serve a secondary purpose by creating artificial reefs that can support marine life, although the primary aim remains military readiness.

The Hebrides range, operated by the Ministry of Defence, provides a vast and secure area of ocean for testing weapons and tactics away from busy shipping lanes and civilian populations. Its location off Scotland's west coast makes it ideal for live-fire exercises involving long-range missiles and torpedoes, which require substantial safety buffers.

Exercise Atlantic Thunder 2026 is the latest in a series of drills that bring together US and UK naval forces. Such exercises are intended to improve interoperability, allowing ships and aircraft from different nations to operate seamlessly in combined task groups. The ability to share tactics, communications and targeting data is considered essential for coalition operations.

For the Royal Navy, the sinking provided a rare chance to demonstrate the Naval Sea Missile and Sea Venom systems against a real ship. These weapons are part of a broader effort to modernise the fleet's offensive capabilities, particularly as the service prepares for potential high-end combat against peer adversaries. The live firing from a Wildcat helicopter also validates the concept of using embarked aircraft as missile carriers, extending the reach of smaller warships.

The US Navy, meanwhile, continues to conduct sinking exercises as a core component of its training cycle. The opportunity to fire live weapons at a full-size target ship cannot be replicated in simulators, and the data gathered helps refine tactics, weapon performance and damage assessment procedures. The participation of USS Paul Ignatius and USS Massachusetts demonstrates the US commitment to maintaining a forward naval presence alongside allies.

Both navies have emphasised that the exercise was planned months in advance and adhered to all relevant environmental and safety protocols. The checks for marine mammals and the decontamination of the target ship are standard elements of modern sinking exercises, reflecting a balance between military necessity and environmental stewardship.

The destruction of USS Klakring thus served multiple purposes: a final farewell to a veteran warship, a live test of new weapons, and a tangible expression of the US-UK defence partnership. As navies around the world face evolving threats, such exercises are likely to become more frequent and more complex, with live fire against realistic targets remaining an indispensable tool for preparing sailors and aircrew for the demands of modern warfare.