![]() There are 12 of these vessels currently operational, usually along the UK’s maritime and trade routes east of the Suez canal, or in the South Atlantic. This is designed for defending individual frigates from air attack, and is therefore less sophisticated than the Sea Viper system borne by the Daring Class.Ĭurrently, the Royal Navy’s frigates are all in the Duke Class, also known as Type 23 Frigates. They have a variety of guns as well as the anti-ship missile system known as the Harpoon and a guided-missile system known as Seawolf. These are versatile ships and their roles include submarine hunting (anti-submarine warfare, or ASW), surface warfare (anti-surface warfare, or ASuW) as well as guarding Britain’s maritime and trade routes. HMS Diamond (image: MoD)Īirborne threats are not the only ones faced by the fleet, and for those on or under the sea, the Royal Navy has its frigates. The six Type-45 Destroyers are HMS Daring, HMS Dauntless, HMS Diamond, HMS Dragon, HMS Defender and HMS Duncan. Also, a 10-year contract with Eurosam will provide a refresh of the Aster 30 missiles system that are currently in use. ![]() In addition, their weapon systems are to be updated. MBDA UK has been awarded an 11-year contract to integrate the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM) programme (sometimes referred to as Sea Ceptor) into the Daring Class' Sea Viper weapon systems. The Daring Class ships also have a range of guns and radar, radar-jamming and sonar with which to protect themselves. These might include incoming cruise missiles, jet aircraft and UAVs. This is a guided missile system that can launch eight missiles in 10 seconds and guide 16 airborne missiles to various moving targets up to 70 miles away. The primary weapon system the vessels have for performing this role is the Sea Viper. They are also versatile, serving in multiple roles, from anti-piracy, to humanitarian missions to their more conventional role as a means of defence against air attack on Britain’s fleet. HMS Queen Elizabeth viewed from above (image: MoD)Īccording to the MoD, the UK’s Daring Class ships (its six Type-45 Destroyers) are some of the most advanced warships to date. HMS Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales are also equipped with the fifth generation F-35B Lightning multi-role aircraft, which are being jointly crewed by the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and the US Marine Corps. Taller than Niagara Falls, the Queen Elizabeth class propellers generate the power of 50 high-speed trains, which is not necessarily surprising when considering that this is the largest surface vessel ever built in the UK. Sailing at a speed of up to 25 knots, these floating villages are crewed by at 700, a number raising to 1,600 when additional personnel for the various aircraft are accounted for. If the Royal Navy wants to send out a fleet equipped with air support today, it has two ships made for the job: HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.īoth Queen Elizabeth Class vessels, and Royal Navy flagships, these enormous machines are both 280 metres in length and can carry 40 aircraft on what amounts to four acres of flight deck. Know Your Air Force – Combat, Support And Heritage Aircraft. ![]()
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