Overview
On May 4, 1982, during the Falklands War, the HMS Sheffield was struck by an Argentine AM39 Exocet missile, leading to its eventual sinking. The event was a massive shock to the British public, as a modern Type 42 destroyer was incapacitated by a single missile.
The "Electronic Blindness" Conspiracy
Conspiracy theories allege that the Sheffield's radar sensors (UAA1) were deliberately blocked or jammed. Official records confirm the sensor was "blinded" at the critical moment by an unauthorized satellite transmission from the ship's own SCOT system. Additionally, rumors persisted that Britain had "kill codes" for the French-made Exocet missiles but failed to use them, or that the ship was positioned as "bait" to gather intelligence on Argentine tactics.
The Warhead Controversy
The official Board of Inquiry report stated that the Exocet warhead did not actually detonate, and the ship was destroyed by fires started by the missile's unspent rocket propellant. This finding led to allegations that the Royal Navy attempted to downplay the lethal effectiveness of the Argentine weapons to maintain morale.