U.S. Navy Successfully Intercepts Simulated Ballistic Missiles During NATO's Formidable Shield 2025

In a powerful display of naval strength and coordination, the U.S. Navy demonstrated its advanced missile defense capabilities during the NATO-led Exercise At Sea Demonstration/Formidable Shield (ASD/FS) 2025. This major international exercise, held in May across the European theater, included multiple successful missile interceptions by two U.S. Navy destroyers—USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84).

The highlight of the event came on May 15, when the USS Thomas Hudner successfully intercepted a short-range ballistic missile using an SM-6 missile. This marked a significant achievement under the exercise's Integrated Air and Missile Defense Testing (IAMD-T) scenario, showcasing the ship’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to incoming threats.

Just five days later, on May 20, both the Thomas Hudner and the Bulkeley collaborated in a more complex operation. Together, they intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile and a simulated missile target using SM-3 missiles. These actions were coordinated through the advanced Aegis Weapons System, which is specifically developed to detect, track, and destroy enemy ballistic missiles.

The success of these live-fire missions reinforced the combat readiness and operational strength of the U.S. Navy’s missile defense systems. According to Navy officials, these intercepts demonstrate that U.S. forces are not only capable of defending against high-tech threats but also capable of working seamlessly with allied nations. A Navy spokesperson emphasized that these exercises send a clear signal of combat credibility to any potential adversaries.

Exercise Formidable Shield 2025 is considered the largest live-fire naval exercise in the European region. Hosted by the U.S. 6th Fleet and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, the event began on May 3 and involves about 6,900 personnel from multiple NATO countries.

The exercise spans across land, sea, and air domains and integrates a wide range of assets—from allied warships and ground-based air defense systems to fighter jets and unmanned platforms. Its purpose is to prepare NATO forces to respond to real-world threats by sharpening their interoperability and coordination under simulated combat conditions.

Ultimately, the achievements of the USS Thomas Hudner and USS Bulkeley underscore the importance of joint training and modern weaponry in preserving international security and maintaining deterrence in an increasingly complex global environment.