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Type 45 Destroyers

HMS Daring

Type 45 Daring Class Destroyers, weighing approximately 7,300 tons each, are built by BAE Systems at Scotstoun on the River Clyde.

The ‘lead’ ship, to be named HMS Daring, is the first of 6 Type 45 Destroyers being manufactured at a cost of £605 million per ‘platform’ but with cost overruns it is possible that each ship could cost £1bn! Other ships of this Class will be named Dauntless, Diamond, Defender, Dragon and Duncan. The Type 45 Destroyers are being built to replace the ageing Type 42 Destroyers that first came into service in the mid 1970’s.

Modern day technology makes the Type 45 Destroyer the most advanced and potent air defence warship in service today with a capability of defending the skies over London from both missile and air attack. It has been suggested that one of the ‘in service’ Type 45’s will carry out air defence duties over London during the 2012 Olympics.

The Type 45’s primary role is to provide air defence to the fleet but with the capability of being able to operate close in-shore they will be able to provide air cover to any British Forces deployed ashore. Powered by 2 Rolls Royce WR-21 gas turbines and Alstom electric motors the ships will be capable of speeds of up to 30 knots

The ‘world beating’ SAMPSON multi function radar system, used in conjunction with the Principle Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS), gives the Type 45 Destroyer the ability to track multiple targets of all types out to a distance of some 400 miles. These targets can be the size of a cricket ball travelling at three times the speed of sound! This system, named Sea Viper by the Royal Navy, when coupled with the Aster Missile System gives the Type 45’s a deadly anti-air capability. The ship is also fitted with two Phalanx Close-in Weapons Systems (CIWS) capable of ‘knocking down’ anti-ship missiles. The vessel also has a conventional BAE Systems 4.5 inch Mk 8 turret gun that can provide naval gunfire support to troops deployed ashore and engage other surface vessels.

Type 45 destroyers have been built with versatility in mind and as such can be utilised as command and control platforms for shore based operations. With a crew of approximately 190 each vessel has the added capability of embarking and supporting up to 60 fully equipped troops that are in excess of the ships company. The ship can also provide both medical and surgical facilities in support of operations ashore and in addition, should the need arise, they can embark up to 700 evacuees from war or natural disaster zones.

Fitted with large ‘after end’ flight decks Type 45’s can carry either Lynx or Merlin helicopters, both capable of deploying torpedoes and anti-surface missiles as well as carrying out anti-submarine operations. Chinook twin rotor helicopters can also operate from the flight deck.

Crew accommodation is outstanding with mess decks accommodating no more than six ratings with CD players, I-pod charging points, fitted radio and internet access available!

From the proposed fleet of 6 Type 45 Destroyers two vessels have so far been commissioned – HMS Daring and HMS Dauntless. With a ‘rolling’ production line in operation Diamond, Defender, Dragon and Duncan will gradually pass into the hands of the Royal Navy and details’ regarding these vessels and their forebears is given on the following pages.

The Royal Navy has the following Type 45 Destroyers in the fleet:

• HMS Daring

• HMS Dauntless

• HMS Diamond

• HMS Dragon

• HMS Defender

• HMS Duncan

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Destroyers
Type 42 Destroyers

© Photo by George Hutchinson 2010, Wikipedia.org