From flight deck to target
HMS Illustrious, the aircraft carrier based in Portsmouth, has been taking part in a training exercise in the Mediterranean.
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Missiles fired in "Lusty" exercise
The Portsmouth-based aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious has been helping test fire anti-tank missiles in the western Mediterranean.
Two Apaches from 656 Squadron AAC were launched from the deck to fire live Hellfire missiles.
The two gunships sent five Hellfire missiles into specialist targets up to 2.5km (1.5 miles) away, obliterating them and sending debris and shrapnel spinning across the sea.
The Hellfire was used extensively in last year’s Libyan campaign – the first time the gunships had been used in anger at sea.
In spring, HMS Illustrious carried out the first live Hellfire firings in UK waters and now has repeated that exercise in the Med.
The firings allowed Illustrious’ specialist air engineer weapons supply team to practise safely moving the missiles from the magazine to be loaded onto helicopters.
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Major exercise for HMS Illustrious
VIDEO: More than 1400 sailors and marines are heading out of Portsmouth onboard HMS Illustrious to take part in a major exercise.
Onboard HMS Illustrious...
Royal Navy warship HMS Illustrious is gearing up for a three-month training deployment to the Mediterranean, this year's key workout of the UK's high-readiness task force.
Warship training begins
Royal Navy warship HMS Illustrious is gearing up for a three-month training deployment to the Mediterranean, this year's key workout of the UK's high-readiness task force.
The helicopter carrier will leave Portsmouth for Exercise Cougar 12 which involves six ships, more than 20 helicopters and 3,000 troops.
Navy celebrate HMS Illustrious
by Sion Donovan
A ceremonial parade and flypast in Portsmouth will help celebrate carrier's 30th birthday
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HMS Illustrious' birthday bash
The crew of the helicopter and commando carrier HMS Illustrious will celebrate her 30th birthday in style today. There will be a ceremonial parade in Portsmouth in the presence of the ship's sponsor Lady Sarah Chatto and former commanding officers including the current First Sea Lord.
HMS Illustrious was commissioned in a ceremony at sea in 1982 - on her way to the Falklands in the aftermath of the conflict - and has been an iconic member of the Royal Navy's fleet ever since. Thousands of sailors have served in her during the past three decades.
Damaged HMS Illustrious heads home
The Royal Navy helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious is heading home after being damaged during a training exercise in Norway.
Her hull was punctured after colliding with a tug. She had been taking part in exercises with other Nato warships at the time.
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