For first time in combat, USN warship fired missiles to defend against incoming missile attack

USNI News has learn that during a anti-ship missile attack against U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer USS Mason on Oct. 10. The American warship had fired three anti-air missiles to defend itself and nearby USS Ponce.

By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katrina Parker [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Details remain sketchy, the ship launched two SM-2s and a RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) during the engagement. The first missile could have been hit by an anti-air missile and officials are still trying to determine that. The second incoming missile however, fell into the water itself.

The anti-ship missiles were believe to be targeting nearby USS Ponce.

Bryan Clark, a naval analyst at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, told USNI News that such an aerial engagement could be a first for the SM-2 and definitely first time for the ESSM.

Separately, Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the U.S. government would not rule out on retaliatory strikes against those responsible.

“We will get to the bottom of this and we will make sure that anybody who interferes with freedom of navigation or anybody who puts U.S. navy ships at risk does so at their own peril.”