HMS Dragon (D35)
_18-10-2011_15-18-35.png) Dragon at Portsmouth, October 2011 |
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| Career (UK) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | HMS Dragon |
| Ordered: | December 2000 |
| Builder: | BVT Surface Fleet |
| Yard number: | 1064[1] |
| Laid down: | 19 December 2005 |
| Launched: | 17 November 2008 |
| Sponsored by: | Mrs. Susie Boissier |
| Identification: | Deck code: DR Pennant number: D35 International callsign: GMIA[2] IMO number: 4907866[3] |
| Motto: | "We yield but to St George" |
| Status: | Stage 2 trials |
| Badge: |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Guided missile destroyer |
| Displacement: | 8,000 tonnes, standard[4] |
| Length: | 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) |
| Beam: | 21.2 m (69 ft 7 in) |
| Draught: | 7.4 m (24 ft 3 in) |
| Propulsion: | 2 shafts Integrated electric propulsion(IEP);
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| Speed: | In excess of 29 kn (54 km/h; 33 mph)[6] |
| Range: | 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km) at 18 kn (33 km/h) |
| Complement: | 190 |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Electronic warfare and decoys: |
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| Armament: |
Anti-air missiles; Guns; |
| Aircraft carried: | 1-2×Lynx HMA8, armed with;
1×Westland Merlin HM1,[9]armed with;
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| Aviation facilities: |
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HMS Dragon is the fourth ship of the Type 45 or 'D' class of air defence destroyers that has been built for the Royal Navy. She was launched in November 2008 and is currently conducting Stage 2 trials. She is due to be commissioned in Spring 2012.
Contents |
[edit] Operational history
[edit] Construction and launch
Dragon's construction began at the then BAE Systems Naval Ships (later BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions) yard at Scotstoun on the River Clyde in December 2005, and by December 2007 the bow section was in place on the Govan slipway for mating with the other modules.
Dragon launched from the slipway at Govan on 17 November 2008 at 3:00pm.[10] Her sponsor is Mrs. Susie Boissier, wife of Vice Admiral Paul Boissier, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet and Chief of Staff.[11] She will be fitted out at Scotstoun.
[edit] Sea trials
HMS Dragon commenced her first set of contractor's sea trials on 5 November 2010. [12]
[edit] Entering service
HMS Dragon is expected to enter service in 2012.
[edit] Recent service
[edit] Design
[edit] Stealth features
The most distinctive design point of the Daring class is their sleekly designed straight edges and superstructure free from clutter. This is designed to give the ship a low radar cross section - commonly called stealth features. Speculation by the press suggests that this design gives the ship the radar signature of a fishing boat.[13]
[edit] Advanced air defence
The Daring class are often considered the most powerful air-defence warships in the world.[14] The ship's capabilities centre on the SAMPSON Multi Function Radar which can detect hundreds of targets out to a distance of 400 km (250 mi) and the Sea Viper missile system. In addition Daring's S1850M 3D air surveillance radar is capable of detecting 1,000 targets up to 400 km (250 mi). It is also capable of detecting outer atmosphere objects such as ballistic missiles. As at June 2010, these defences are not yet available, due to problems with the Aster missiles.
[edit] Weapons and systems
[edit] Anti-air (Sea Viper)
Sea Viper missile system.
- 1x SAMPSON multi-function air tracking radar - range of 400 kilometres (250 mi).
- 1x S1850M 3D air surveillance radar - range of 400 kilometres (250 mi). Capable of tracking up to 1,000 targets, including outer atmosphere objects such as ballistic missiles.
- 48 x Aster 15 and 30 missiles in a 48 cell SYLVER A50 vertical launcher. Missiles as follows;
- Aster 15 - Short to medium range anti-air missile - range of 2 – 30 km.
- Aster 30 - Long range anti-air missile. Also anti-ballistic missile capable - range of 3 – 120 km.
[edit] Anti-ship
- 4 x Sea Skua anti-ship missiles. On the embarked Lynx HMA 8 helicopter.
- 1 x 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun has an anti-ship role.
- 8 x RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile. The Type 45 has the provision for a pair of quadruple launchers but there are currently no plans to fit this system.[15]
[edit] Guns
- 1 x BAE Systems 4.5 inch Mk 8 mod 1 gun.
- 2 x Oerlikon 30 mm KCB guns on single DS-30B mounts.
- 2 x Miniguns and up to 6 x General Purpose Machine Guns[16]
- 2 x Phalanx 20 mm close-in weapons systems.[17]
[edit] Affiliations
[edit] References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: HMS Dragon (D35) |
- ^ "HMS Dragon at Clydebuilt database". http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=21194. Retrieved 21 June 2009.
- ^ "Royal Navy Bridge Card, February 201". http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/linkedfiles/referencelibrary/ref_library_docs/bridgecard11feb11.pdf. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
- ^ "World Shipping Register - Ship Index". http://82.146.41.123/index/D9.shtml. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
- ^ "Type 45 Destroyer". Royal Navy. http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Ships/Frigates-and-Destroyers/Type-45-Destroyers. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
- ^ "HMS Daring". Wärtsilä. http://www.wartsila.com/fi/references/HMS-Daring. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
- ^ MacDermid, Alan (2007-08-15). "Daring is mean, green and built for speed". The Herald. http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1617705.0.0.php. Retrieved 2007-08-15.
- ^ "Raytheon Press Release" (PDF). 2006-03-08. http://www.raytheon.co.uk/news_room/news/press_release_08032006.pdf. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Jane's Electro-Optic Systems". 2010-10-28. http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Electro-Optic-Systems/Ultra-Electronics-Series-2500-electro-optic-tracking-and-fire-control-system-United-Kingdom.html. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
- ^ "Air Defence Destroyer (T45)". Royal Navy. http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.2227. Retrieved 2007-11-20.[dead link]
- ^ "HMS Dragon launched". WalesOnline. 2008-11-17. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/11/17/hms-dragon-launched-91466-22275679/. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
- ^ "Thousands line the Clyde to see HMS Dragon roar for first time". The Herald webpages. http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2468784.0.Thousands_line_the_Clyde_to_see_HMS_Dragon_roar_for_first_time.php. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
- ^ "HMS Dragon off on sea trials in the Clyde". ForArgyll.com. 2010-11-05. http://forargyll.com/2010/11/hms-dragon-off-on-sea-trials-in-the-clyde/. Retrieved 2010-11-19.
- ^ HMS Daring eases through first sea trials
- ^ "World's most advanced destroyer launched tomorrow". The Times (Times Newspapers): p. 37. 2007-01-22.
- ^ Navy-Matters Type 45 Destroyer Daring Class
- ^ "HMS Daring's Warfare Department". Royal Navy website. http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/type-45-destroyers/hms-daring/departments/the-warfare-department. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
- ^ "The Best of the UK". Navy News: p. 9. January 2011. http://content.yudu.com/A1qctz/navynewsjan11/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http://content.yudu.com/A1qctz/navynewsjan11/resources/flipbook.swf. Retrieved 2011-01-26. "Daring is currently undergoing a mini overhaul which among other upgrades will see her fitted with Phalanx automated guns"
- ^ "Navy destroyer linked to Cardiff". BBC News. 2007-05-24. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6686029.stm. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
- ^ "Worshipful Company of Plaisterers visit". Royal Navy website. http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/future-ships/air-defence-destroyer-type-45/dragon/news/worshipful-company-of-plaisterers-visit/index.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
[edit] External links
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