| UK. Countess of Wessex to launch HMS Daring |
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| Friday, 09 December 2005 | |
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Naval News:The Countess of Wessex will launch HMS Daring at BAE Systems Naval Ships' Scotstoun yard in Glasgow on 01 February 2006. HMS Daring will be the first of the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers. Armed with the world-beating Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS), these ships will be the biggest and most powerful air defence destroyers ever built for the Royal Navy. The Type 45 programme is securing more than 2,000 shipbuilding jobs on the Clyde, 650 shipbuilding jobs in Portsmouth and many more jobs at sub-contractors around the country. Secretary of State, John Reid said: "I am delighted that the Countess of Wessex will launch HMS Daring, the first of the Type 45s and part of a huge shipbuilding programme for the Royal Navy. The launch of this ship demonstrates the Government's commitment to our shipbuilding industry." The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West said: "The Type 45 will be a superb piece of high-technology innovation and engineering, delivering unsurpassed capability to the Royal Navy." The Ministry of Defence is working closely with BAE Systems and other suppliers to ensure work continues apace to the demanding build schedule. The contract has been let for the first three ships of the class and negotiations continue for hulls 4-6. Destroyers (as well as frigates) are the workhorses of the fleet, the former optimised for air defence and the latter for surface and subsurface warfare. They are equally at home in large task groups or on independent operations which may include sanctions enforcement, humanitarian relief or anti-drug patrols. In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). Past Darings Six vessels of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Daring: Daring (1804), a 12-gun brig launched in 1804 and destroyed after running aground in 1813. Daring (1844), a 12-gun brig launched in 1844 and broken up in 1864. Daring (1874), a 4-gun sloop launched in 1874 and broken up in 1889. Daring (1893), a destroyer launched in 1893 and broken up in 1912. Daring (1932), a destroyer launched in 1932 and sunk in 1940. Daring (D05), a destroyer launched in 1949 and broken up in 1971. The seventh Daring (D32) will be a Type 45 destroyer. Daring role The Type 45 Destroyer's primary role is anti-air warfare and it will carry the PAAMS system. It will be able to defend UK and allied units within range against all air threats, whether they are over sea or over land. As with all modern destroyers and frigates, it will be a flexible platform capable of operations across the spectrum of tasks from peace support to high intensity warfare. It will also be able to embark a small force of Royal Marines or similar forces, insert them into an operation and support them. Daring design Displacement: c. 7350 tonnes (deep displacement), c. 5800 tonnes (light displacement). Length: 152.4m. Max Beam: 21.2m. Speed: 29 knots. Range: 7000 nautical miles at 18 knots. Complement: approx. 190 (with space for 235) whilst providing significantly better accommodation standards than hitherto in destroyers/frigates. Daring equipment Weapons and Systems: The Principal Anti Air Missile System (PAAMS) with the BAE Insyte SAMPSON Multi-Functional Radar (MFR) (for surveillance and fire control) and the Thales S1850M Long Range Radar (LRR) for air/surface search. SYLVER launcher and combination of Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles. Other weapons systems include: Helo - launched STINGRAY Torpedoes; 4.5" Mk 8 (Mod 1) Medium Calibre Gun system; 30mm Small Calibre Gun system. Combat Management System, Data Transfer System, Fully Integrated Communications System, Navigation System and major components of the Integrated Bridge, Power System and Platform Management System. Propulsion: Integrated Electric Propulsion using two 20MW motors Prime Mover: Two Rolls Royce WR21 21MW gas turbine engines. Helicopter: 1 Westland Lynx MHA 3/8 or 1 Merlin EH101 HAS 1. Sonar: Ultra MFS 7000 |
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