Wednesday, September 30, 2026 300 stories · 2620 outlet reports compared

Royal Navy and US forces sink decommissioned American warship off Scotland

The Royal Navy and US forces sank the decommissioned frigate USS Klakring using a new 'ship buster' missile during a live-fire exercise off the coast of Scotland.

By The Lumen desk · Sept 30, 2026 · 1 min read
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What we know
1 A decommissioned US warship was sunk off the coast of Scotland during a joint Royal Navy-US exercise.
2 The exercise tested a new 'ship buster' missile system, according to multiple outlets.
3 GB News reported the target was the former USS Klakring, struck about 150 nautical miles off the Hebrides.
4 GB News reported HMS Portland fired a Naval Strike Missile and a Wildcat helicopter fired Sea Venom missiles.
5 The exercise was named Atlantic Thunder, according to GB News.

The Royal Navy and United States forces sank a decommissioned American warship during a joint live-fire exercise off the coast of Scotland, testing a new 'ship buster' missile system.

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According to GB News, the target was the former USS Klakring, a decommissioned American frigate, struck roughly 150 nautical miles off the Hebrides coast in the North Atlantic during an exercise named Atlantic Thunder.

GB News reported that HMS Portland, a Plymouth-based Type 23 frigate, launched a Naval Strike Missile at the vessel, while a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron fired Sea Venom missiles from Portland's flight deck.

Center outlets including Sky News, NewsNation and BBC News confirmed the sinking of the old US warship as part of the joint UK-US exercise, describing the missiles used as 'ship buster' weapons in live-fire training.

How each side covered it

Center

4 outlets
  • Sky News and NewsNation reported a joint Royal Navy and US exercise sinking an old warship.
  • BBC News and BBC Sport described 'ship buster' missiles sinking the vessel in live-fire training off Scotland.
  • Center coverage focused on the collaborative US-UK aspect of the exercise.

“'Ship buster' missiles sink old US warship in live fire training off Scotland” — BBC News

Right

2 outlets
  • GB News identified the sunk vessel as the decommissioned USS Klakring and named the exercise Atlantic Thunder.
  • GB News detailed the weapons used, including a Naval Strike Missile from HMS Portland and Sea Venom missiles from a Wildcat helicopter.
  • The Telegraph reported the sinking of an old US warship off the Scottish coast.

“Warship blown up and sunk off British coast as Royal Navy test new 'ship buster' missile” — GB News

Questions readers ask

What happened off the coast of Scotland?

The Royal Navy and US forces sank a decommissioned American warship during a joint live-fire exercise, testing a new 'ship buster' missile system, according to multiple outlets.

Which ship was sunk?

According to GB News, the target was the former USS Klakring, a decommissioned American frigate.

What weapons were used in the exercise?

GB News reported that HMS Portland launched a Naval Strike Missile and a Wildcat helicopter fired Sea Venom missiles from the frigate's flight deck.

What was the name of the exercise?

GB News identified the exercise as Atlantic Thunder, conducted about 150 nautical miles off the Hebrides coast.

Sources · 6 outlet reports

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