The seagulls are hovering low over the forecastle. It is impressive to see. The birds are almost standing still in the air. They heel over and disappear in a fast dive over and below the gray surface of the forcastle.

Many people are gathered at the windows on the bridge and they all follow the seagulls movements. But the gathering on the bridge its not because of the seagulls. A civilian aircraft from Ryge Air has reported its arrival to the exercise area in Skagerrak, closer to Norway than to Denmark. Behind the aircraft is a long line that ends in a bag with electronic equipment.

The crew can control the gun with  optical targeting devices, when the  rader can’t handle the task.  Photo: Michael Christiansen

The bag simulates an air target for THETIS. The radar has aquired the target plane, the gun on the forecastle is loaded and then it comes: A hollow metallic roar and an empty cartridge is coughed out in front of the gun. At the same time cooling water streams out below the muzzle.

“We did well. The shot was only 4,3 meter from the target bag,” says Commander s.g. Henrik Ryberg, Commanding Officer on THETIS.

At the time of firing there was seven km between THETIS and the target bag. At this range it is the radar that controls the elevation and sideways movement of the gun. If the target gets to close, so that the radar can no longer track the plane, the crew takes over with optical targeting devices on the bridge wings.

Text: Michael Christiansen, SPAO DATG