Canadian warship missile test aborted mid-flight after communication failure [Video]

A Canadian navy missile test was aborted mid-flight this week after controllers lost communication with the projectile off the coast of southern California.

The Harpoon Block II missile was lost at sea after it was fired from HMCS Regina during a joint Canada-U.S. exercise at the U.S. Navy’s Point Mugu sea range near San Diego on Wednesday.

Cmdr. Jeremy Samson, the frigate’s commanding officer, says the missile’s flight was terminated approximately 30 to 60 seconds after it was launched toward a surface target situated about 55 kilometres from the ship.

“Without getting into too many of the technical details, there was an issue with the first missile,” Samson said in a telephone interview from the warship Thursday.

“When you fire a missile on a range, there are safety procedures to make sure the missile is doing what it’s supposed to, and losing that communication can cause you to order the …