Type 45 destroyer

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Not to be confused with Daring class destroyer (1949).
HMS Daring in 2010
HMS Daring departing Portsmouth Naval Base, 1 March 2010.
Class overview
Builders: BAE Systems Surface Ships
Operators:  Royal Navy
Preceded by: Type 42
Cost: £1 billion+ (per ship)
Planned: 6[N 1]
Completed: 6
Active: 5
General characteristics
Type: Guided missile destroyer
Displacement: 8,000 t (7,900 long tons; 8,800 short tons)[3]
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);
Speed: In excess of 29 kn (54 km/h; 33 mph)[5]
Range: 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km) at 18 kn (33 km/h)
Complement: 190 (accommodation for up to 235)
Sensors and
processing systems:
Electronic warfare
& decoys:
Armament:

Anti-air missiles:
Sea Viper air defence system.
1× 48-cell Sylver A50 VLS, for a combination of 48×;
Aster 15 missiles (range 2-30 km)
Aster 30 missiles (range 3-120 km)

Guns:
1× BAE 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun
2× Oerlikon 30 mm guns
2× Phalanx CIWS
2× Miniguns
6× General purpose machine guns

Provision for but not fitted with:
Aircraft carried: 1-2× Lynx HMA8, armed with;
  • 4× Sea Skua anti ship missiles, or
  • 2× anti submarine torpedoes
or
1×Westland Merlin HM1,[9]armed with;
  • 4× anti-submarine torpedoes
Aviation facilities:
  • Large flight deck
  • Enclosed hangar

The Type 45 destroyer, also known as the D or Daring-class, is a class of guided missile destroyers built for the United Kingdom's Royal Navy. The class is primarily designed for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare and is built around the Sea Viper air-defence system utilizing the SAMPSON AESA and the S1850M long-range radars. The first three destroyers were assembled by BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions from partially prefabricated "blocks" built at different shipyards, the remaining three were built by BAE Systems Surface Ships. The first ship in the Daring-class, HMS Daring, was launched on 1 February 2006 and commissioned on 23 July 2009.[10]

The Type 45 destroyers were built to replace the Type 42 destroyers that had served during the Falklands War, with the last Type 42 being decommissioned in 2013. It is suggested that, during an "intensive attack", a single Type 45 could simultaneously track, engage and destroy more targets than five Type 42 destroyers operating together.[11] After the launch of HMS Daring on 1 February 2006, former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West stated that it would be the Royal Navy's most capable destroyer ever, as well as the world's best air-defence ship.[12] The reduction in the number to be procured from twelve eventually down to six (in 2008) was controversial.[13][14]

Contents

Development[edit]

Main articles: NFR-90 and Horizon class frigate

The UK had sought to procure a new class air-defence destroyers in collaboration with seven other NATO nations under the NFR-90 project, the project later collapsed due to varying requirements of the different countries involved. The UK then joined France and Italy in the Horizon CNGF programme; however, differing national requirements, workshare arguments and delays led to the UK withdrawing on 26 April 1999 and starting its own national project.[15] On 23 November 1999 Marconi Electronic Systems or MES was confirmed as prime contractor for the Type 45 project.[16] Seven days later MES and British Aerospace merged to form BAE Systems, making the latter the prime contractor.

The Type 45 project has been criticised for rising costs and delays, with the ships costing £6.46 billion, an increase of £1.5 billion (29%) on the original budget.[17] The first ship entered service in 2010,[18] rather than 2007 as initially planned. In 2007, the Defence Select Committee expressed its disappointment that the MoD and BAE had failed to control rising costs.[19][20]

Construction[edit]

The Type 45's take advantage of some Horizon development work and utilise the Sea Viper air-defence system and the SAMPSON radar. The ships are built by BAE Systems Surface Ships, originally created as BVT Surface Fleet by the merger of the surface shipbuilding arms of BAE Systems and VT Group. These two companies previously built the ships in collaboration. BAE's two Glasgow shipyards and single Portsmouth shipyard are responsible for different "blocks". BAE's Govan yard is responsible for Block A (stern to edge of helicopter hangar). The Scotstoun yard builds Blocks B/C (a 2600 tonne section which contains the WR-21 gas turbines, starts with the helicopter hangar to the bridge section) and Block D (bridge section). BAE's Portsmouth shipyard is responsible for Blocks E/F (bridge to the bow) and the funnels and masts. For ships 2 to 6 blocks A-D are assembled in the Ships Block and Outfit Hall of the Govan shipyard, and taken fully outfitted to the Scotstoun berth. The masts and funnels are also fitted before launch.

Construction of blocks of Dauntless at Portsmouth.

For the first-of-class, Block A was assembled at Govan and moved to Scotstoun, where it was mated to Block B/C, which was already fitted with the WR-21 turbines and machinery. Block D, also assembled at Scotstoun, was fitted to these three blocks. The bow sections (E/F) were mated at Portsmouth and taken by barge to Scotstoun. These were the final blocks to be attached. At this point the hull was launched into the Clyde and towed to the Scotstoun Dry Dock where the masts and funnels were fitted (the masts are partially outfitted with equipment, for example the mast for the S1850M radar is sent from Portsmouth to Thales Nederland to be fitted with radar equipment). Once this is complete, the remaining equipment is fitted: radar arrays, bow-mounted sonar, propellers, missile equipment and 4.5-inch gun.

This modular construction arrangement was agreed in February 2002. However, when the original contract for three ships was signed in July 2000, BAE Systems Marine was to build the first and third ships, and Vosper Thornycroft (now VT) was to build the second.

By the end of 2010, all six Type 45 destroyers had been launched; with the first two in commission and the remainder fitting out. In 2012, with all destroyers structurally complete and production lines closed, HMS Duncan the last of the type 45 destroyers commenced initial sea trials. She is expected to be commissioned some time during 2013.[21] The Daring-class are the largest escorts ever built for the Royal Navy in terms of displacement.[N 2]

In 2009, delivery of the ships' Aster missiles was delayed due to a failure during testing.[22] A subsequent investigation revealed a manufacturing fault with a single batch of missiles and delivery of the Aster 30 is back on schedule.[23]

Characteristics[edit]

The Type 45 destroyers are 152.4 m in length, with a beam of 21.2 m and a draught of 7.4 m. This makes them significantly larger than the Type 42 they replace, displacing about 8,000 tonnes[3] compared to 5,200 tonnes of the Type 42. The Type 45 destroyers are the first British warships built to meet the hull requirements of Lloyd's Register's Naval Rules. BAE Systems is the Design Authority for the Type 45, a role traditionally held by the UK Ministry of Defence.[24] The design of the Type 45 brings new levels of radar signature reduction to the Royal Navy. Deck equipment and life rafts are concealed behind the ship's superstructure panels, producing a very "clean" superstructure somewhat similar to the French La Fayette class frigates. The mast is also sparingly equipped externally. Speculation by the press suggests that this design gives the ship the radar signature of a small fishing boat.[25]

The Daring-class is notable for being the first Royal Navy vessels to include gender-neutral living spaces to accommodate male and female crew members; communal shower and heads facilities have given way to individual cubicles, and six-person berths for junior ratings are far more flexible in accommodating a mixture of male and female sailors.[26][dead link] Men and women will continue to sleep in separate spaces, in common with most other navies.

Propulsion[edit]

Further information: Integrated electric propulsion

The Type 45 is fitted with an innovative integrated electric propulsion system. Historically, electric-drive ships (like USS Langley) have supplied power to their electric motors using DC, and ship's electrical load, where necessary at all, was either separately supplied or was supplied as DC with a large range of acceptable voltage. Integrated electric propulsion seeks to supply all propulsion and ship's electrical load via AC at a high quality of voltage and frequency.[N 3] This is achieved by computerised control, high quality transformation and electrical filtering. Two Rolls-Royce WR-21 gas turbine alternators and two Wärtsilä 12V200 diesel generators provide electrical power at 4,160 volts to a high voltage system. The high voltage supply is then used to provide power to two Converteam advanced induction motors with outputs of 20 MW (27,000 hp) each. Ship's services, including hotel load and weapons system power supplies, are supplied via transformers from the high voltage supply at 440 V and 115 V.[27] The benefits of integrated electric propulsion are cited as:

  • The ability to place the electric motors closer to the propeller, thus shortening the shaftline, obviating the need for a gearbox or controllable pitch propellers, and reducing exposure to action damage.[27]
  • The opportunity to place prime movers (diesel generators and gas turbine alternators) at convenient locations away from the shaftline, thus reducing the space lost to funnels, while at the same time improving access for maintenance and engine changes.[28]
  • The freedom to run all propulsion and ship services from a single prime mover for much of the ship's life, thus dramatically reducing engine running hours and emissions.[27]

Key to the efficient use of a single prime mover is the choice of a gas turbine that provides efficiency over a large load range; the WR21 gas turbine incorporates compressor intercooling and exhaust heat recovery, making it significantly more efficient than previous marine gas turbines, especially at low and medium load.

The combination of greater efficiency and high fuel capacity give an endurance of 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h).[27] High power density and the hydrodynamic efficiency of a longer hull form allow high speeds to be sustained. It has been reported that Daring reached her design speed of 29 knots (54 km/h) in 70 seconds and achieved a speed of 31.5 knots (58 km/h) in 120 seconds during sea-trials in August 2007.[5]

Advanced air-defence[edit]

Further information: PAAMS, SAMPSON, S1850M, and Aster (missile family)

The Type 45 destroyers are primarily designed for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare with the capability to defend against aircraft, drones as well as supersonic sea skimming anti-ship missiles.[29] The Royal Navy describe the destroyers mission as "to shield the Fleet from air attack". The Type 45 destroyer is equipped with the sophisticated Sea Viper air-defence system[30] utilizing the SAMPSON active electronically scanned array multi-function air tracking radar and the S1850M long-range air surveillance radar. The Sea Viper system is able to control and coordinate several missiles in the air at once, allowing several tracks to be intercepted at any given time. It has been suggested that the SAMPSON radar is capable of tracking an object the size of a cricket ball travelling at three times the speed of sound.[31] A core component of the Type 45's Sea Viper air-defence system is the Aster missile, composing of the Aster 15 and Aster 30. MBDA describe Aster as an anti-missile missile capable of intercepting all types of high performance air threats at a max range of 120 km (Aster 30).[32] The Aster missile is autonomously guided and equipped with an active RF seeker enabling it to cope with "saturated attacks" thanks to a "Multiple engagement capability" and a "high rate of fire".[32] Presently the Daring-class destroyers are equipped with a 48-cell A50 Sylver Vertical Launching System allowing for a mix of up-to 48 Aster 15 and 30 missiles. However, the Type 45 destroyer was designed to accommodate a total of 64-cells, while some reports suggest a total of 72-cells.[29]

The Aster 30 offers additional anti-ballistic missile capabilities, this lead to the Royal Navy announcing its intention to build upon the Type 45 destroyers in the ballistic missile defence role. It was reported during March 2013 by the United States Naval Institute that the Royal Navy along with the United States Missile Defense Agency will explore the potential of the Daring-class providing ballistic missile defence in Europe along with United States Navy Aegis equipped destroyers.[33][34]

Because of the step-change in capabilities delivered by the Type 45 destroyers, their large unit price of £1 billion+, and the large amount of public attention they have attracted, it is notable that numerous media organisations and defence analysts commonly refer to the Daring-class as being the "most advanced" or "most powerful" air-defence destroyers in the world.[35][36][37] Likewise, the ships builders BAE Systems claim; "Able to detect and track hundreds of targets simultaneously, the Type 45 Destroyer is recognised as the most advanced anti-air warfare vessel in the world." [38] Nick Brown the editor-in-chief of Jane’s International Defence Review was quoted by the The Huffington Post (UK) saying, "It’s [Type 45 destroyer] certainly one of the most advanced air defence ships in the world... The US Aegis system is similar, but Sea Viper is more advanced."[39]

Weapons, countermeasures, capabilities and sensors[edit]

The SAMPSON AESA multi-function air tracking radar makes a full 360° rotation every 2 seconds.
The S1850M long-range air surveillance radar on HMS Daring.
HMS Diamond firing her Aster missiles for the first time.
Anti-air warfare

The Sea Viper air-defence system:

A 48-cell A50 Sylver Vertical Launching System for a mix of up-to 48:

In 2012, the UAT Mod2.0 digital Radar Electronic Surveillance system was fitted to Daring and Diamond as part of a £40m contract with Thales UK that will see UAT Mod2.1 fitted to the other Type 45's.[7]

Guns
Anti-ship, submarine and land-attack

All embarked helicopters are equipped with their own dipping sonar, sonobuoys and radars.

Provision for but not fitted with
Further information: For but not with
Countermeasures
  • The Seagnat decoy system allows for the seduction and distraction of radar guided weapons, through active and passive means. An infra-red 'spoofing' device is planned for future retrofits.
  • Airborne Systems's IDS300 floating naval decoy system (corner reflectors).[46]
  • Surface Ship Torpedo Defence System (SSTD) active torpedo decoy system.
Communications and other systems
  • Fully Integrated Communications System (FICS45) - a combined external and internal communications system supplied by Thales and SELEX Communications Ltd.[47]
  • METOC Meteorology and Oceanography: The Metoc system by BAE Systems comprises the Upper Air Sounding System using launchable radiosondes by Eurodefence Systems Ltd and Graw Radiosondes (Germany) joint venture, as well as a comprehensive weather satellite receiving system and a bathymetrics system. These sensors provide each vessel with a full environmental awareness for tasks such as radar propagation, ballistics and general self-supporting meteorological and oceanographic data production.
Additional capabilities
  • The flight deck of the Type 45 is big enough to accommodate aircraft up to the size of the Chinook.
  • Type 45 has sufficient space to embark 60 Royal Marines and their equipment.

Ships in the class[edit]

HMS Duncan the last ship of the class departing for sea trials in 2012.

Six ships have been ordered, and transfer of custody of the first happened on 10 December 2008.[48] The MOD's initial planning assumption was to procure twelve ships (essentially a like-for-like replacement of a similar number of Type 42s), with the size of the second batch to be determined between 2005 and 2010.[1] However this was reduced to eight ships in the 2003 defence white paper entitled Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities. It was reported in December 2006 that the last two could be cut.[49] In July 2007, Ministry of Defence officials stated that they "still planned to build eight Type 45 destroyers" and that "the extra two ships were still included in planning assumptions".[50] This plan was officially abandoned on 19 June 2008 when the Minister for the Armed Forces, Bob Ainsworth, announced in Parliament that options for the seventh and eighth destroyers would not be taken up.[2][51] The continual scaling back of the project, first from twelve to eight, and subsequently to six ships, has been criticised for leaving the Royal Navy with insufficient ships to meet its requirements.[13][14]

On 9 March 2007, The Independent reported that Saudi Arabia was considering buying "two or three" Type 45s.[52] On 7 September 2007 it was reported that Saudi Arabian officials had been invited to observe Daring's sea trials.[53]

Name Pennant number First steel cut[N 4] Launched Date of commission Current status (as of March 2013)
Daring D32 28 March 2003 1 February 2006 23 July 2009[54] Portsmouth[55]
Dauntless D33 26 August 2004 23 January 2007 3 June 2010[56] Portsmouth[57]
Diamond D34 25 February 2005 27 November 2007 6 May 2011[58] Portsmouth[59]
Dragon D35 19 December 2005 17 November 2008 20 April 2012[60] Portsmouth
Defender D36 31 July 2006 21 October 2009 21 March 2013[61] Portsmouth
Duncan D37 26 January 2007 11 October 2010 Expected 2013[40] Portsmouth (Stage 2 Sea Trials)[62]

See also[edit]

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^ Six hulls were originally ordered, with a planning assumption that a further six would be ordered between 2005 and 2010.[1] This planning assumption was later reduced to a further two. In the 2008 defence budget, the Global Combat Ship programme (known then as the FSC) was brought forward at the expense of ships 7 and 8, resulting in the final order being left at six, with options for further ships not being taken up.[2]
  2. ^ Largest in terms of displacement; however, the 6,200 ton County-class destroyers were some 6 metres longer, and the 6,300 ton Type 82 destroyer was 2 metres longer.
  3. ^ High quality indicates that the frequency and voltage are stable, with an absence of spikes, even under changes in power demand.
  4. ^ The Type 45 is constructed in modules, so the keel is not "laid down" as in the past. The ceremonial start of the ships' construction is "cutting the first sheet" of steel.

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Appendix - Warship Building Strategies", Major Procurement Projects: Government Response, House of Commons Defence Committee, 24 October 2002, ISBN 978-0-21-500586-1, HC 1229, retrieved 29 May 2010, "The MoD intends to make a decision on the size of the next batch of Type-45s in the second half of the decade. Until the main investment decision on the next batch is made, the size of that batch will remain a planning assumption." 
  2. ^ a b "Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts Volume I including the Annual Performance Report and Consolidated Departmental Resource Accounts" (PDF). Ministry of Defence (HM Government): 98. 21 July 2008. ISBN 978-0-10-295509-5. HC 850-I. http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/31D096E9-3F41-4633-BEA2-AE62CF97C3AE/0/annrptvol1_200708.pdf. Retrieved 26 July 2011. "Six of these highly advanced and capable ships have been ordered, but following the 2008 planning round we no longer intend to place orders for any further Type 45 destroyers."
  3. ^ a b "Type 45 Destroyer". Royal Navy. Retrieved 2011-11-06. 
  4. ^ "HMS Daring". Wärtsilä. Retrieved 2011-08-01. 
  5. ^ a b MacDermid, Alan (2007-08-15). "Daring is mean, green and built for speed". The Herald. Retrieved 2007-08-15. 
  6. ^ "Raytheon Press Release" (PDF). 2006-03-08. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  7. ^ a b "Fleet to get the latest in electronic surveillance". DESider (Ministry of Defence). September 2012. p. 18. 
  8. ^ "Jane's Electro-Optic Systems". 2010-10-28. Retrieved 2011-08-21. 
  9. ^ "Air Defence Destroyer (T45)". Royal Navy. Retrieved 2007-11-20. [dead link]
  10. ^ "UK Royal Navy Commissions Type 45 Destroyer HMS Daring". defpro. 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2009-07-25. 
  11. ^ "Providing Anti Air Warfare Capability: the Type 45 destroyer". National Audit Office (United Kingdom). 13 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-16. 
  12. ^ Nicoll, Alexander (2006-02-01). "Countess of Wessex Launches Royal Navy's New Warship". Government News Network. Retrieved 2007-08-17. 
  13. ^ a b "Six of the best but scrap the rest". Shipping Times. 20 June 2008. Retrieved 2009-11-16. 
  14. ^ a b See statement by then First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West, Jane's Defence Weekly 25 June 2008, p.6 reproduced from an interview in February 2006.
  15. ^ Nicoll, Alexander (1999-04-27). "National differences scupper frigate project". Financial Times. 
  16. ^ Sinclair, Keith (1999-11-24). "Jobs boost for shipyard; Yarrow confirmed as main contractor for MoD's Type 45 destroyer programme". The Herald (Scottish Media Newspapers). p. 13. 
  17. ^ Public Accounts Committee (1 June 2009). Ministry of Defence: Type 45 Destroyer. House of Commons. HC 372. Retrieved 2009-07-12. 
  18. ^ "Air Defence Destroyer (Type 45)". Royal Navy website. Retrieved 2008-10-14. 
  19. ^ David Robertson (2008-01-29). "Taxpayers face £500m bill for BAE projects". The Times. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  20. ^ Graeme Wilson (2007-12-09). "MPs accuse MoD of £2.6bn overspend". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  21. ^ "Duncan, last of navy’s Type 45 destroyers sets out on maiden voyage". Royal Navy. 2012-09-05. Retrieved 2012-09-09. 
  22. ^ "Royal Navy destroyers at sea with faulty weapons systems (2009-12-09)". Portsmouth.co.uk. 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2011-11-06. 
  23. ^ "MBDA Completes Four Successful Aster Missile Firings in less than a Month". http://www.mbda-systems.com. Retrieved 2011-05-18. [dead link]
  24. ^ P J Gates, Royal Institution of Naval Architects, 2005, p35.
  25. ^ HMS Daring eases through first sea trials
  26. ^ "The Comfort of the Crew". BAE Systems. Retrieved 2007-11-20. 
  27. ^ a b c d "TYPE 45 - The Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer". Royal Navy. Retrieved 2010-06-08. [dead link]
  28. ^ Chitale, Captain S S (2010). "Integrated Full Electric Propulsion". IE(I) Journal (The Institution of Engineers (India)) 90: 18–22. 
  29. ^ a b Type 45 ("Daring" Class) Destroyer
  30. ^ HMS Dragon roars into life: Royal Navy's latest and most technologically advanced warship is launched
  31. ^ Harding, Thomas (2006-02-03). "New warship is 'quantum leap forward' for the Navy". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2007-03-10. 
  32. ^ a b MBDA - Aster PDF
  33. ^ U.K. Royal Navy Wants to Bullseye Rogue Missiles with U.S. Help
  34. ^ British Destroyer to Participate in U.S. Missile Defense Trials
  35. ^ World's most advanced destroyer handed to Royal Navy
  36. ^ Royal Navy's new 'stealth' destroyer HMS Daring makes her home port debut
  37. ^ Interactive guide to HMS Dauntless
  38. ^ BAE Systems products - DESTROYERS
  39. ^ HMS Dauntless, The Royal Navy's 'Cutting Edge' Deterrent
  40. ^ a b "Commons Hansard Written Answers". UK Parliament. 5 September 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011. 
  41. ^ "The Best of the UK". Navy News. January 2011. p. 9. Retrieved 2011-01-26. "Daring is currently undergoing a mini overhaul which among other upgrades will see her fitted with Phalanx automated guns" 
  42. ^ "HMS Daring's Warfare Department". Royal Navy website. Retrieved 2010-06-08. [dead link]
  43. ^ "Navy-Matters Type 45 Destroyer ''Daring'' Class". Navy-matters.beedall.com. Retrieved 2011-11-06. 
  44. ^ Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons, Westminster (2004-03-09). "House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 9 Mar 2004 (pt 8)". Publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2011-11-06. 
  45. ^ [1]
  46. ^ "Naval Decoy IDS300, Ship Deployed Floating Naval Countermeasure". Airborne Systems. Retrieved 2011-07-16. 
  47. ^ Type 45 FICS Fully Integrated Communications System[dead link]
  48. ^ "HMS Daring at the Royal Navy website". Royal Navy. 2008-07-19. 
  49. ^ Harrison, Michael (2006-12-31). "Half of Royal Navy’s ships in mothballs as defence cuts bite". The Times. Retrieved 2007-04-19. [dead link]
  50. ^ Evans, Michael (2007-07-26). "Go-ahead for £4bn aircraft carriers". The Times. Retrieved 2007-07-26. 
  51. ^ Kula, Adam (2008-06-19). "Government admits destroyers will never be built". Portsmouth News. Archived from the original on 2008-06-27. Retrieved 2008-06-19. 
  52. ^ Harrison, Michael (2007-03-09). "UK seeks £2bn Saudi destroyer contract". The Independent. Retrieved 2007-03-09. 
  53. ^ Robertson, David (2007-09-07). "BAE poised to clinch £20bn Saudi Eurofighter deal". The Times (Times Newspapers). Retrieved 2007-09-08. 
  54. ^ "First port of call for destroyer". BBC. 2009-05-22. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 
  55. ^ "HMS Daring to head for the Gulf". Press Association. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-31. 
  56. ^ The Shields Gazette HMS Dauntless set for Tyne visit
  57. ^ "HMS Dauntless destroyer deployed to Falklands by navy". The Guardian. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-31. 
  58. ^ "HMS Diamond to join fleet". The News. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-06. 
  59. ^ "HMS Diamond enters service". Ministry of Defence. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2011. 
  60. ^ "HMS Dragon commissioned". Royal Navy. 2012-04-20. Retrieved 2012-04-21. 
  61. ^ "Royal Navy's newest destroyer joins the fleet". Royal Navy. 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2013-03-22. 
  62. ^ "Sixth and Final T45 Destroyer, HMS Duncan enters Service with Royal Navy". Royal Navy. 2013-03-22. Retrieved 2013-03-22. 

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Type 45 destroyer
Type 45 destroyer
  • Preceded by: Type 42
  • Followed by: None
List of destroyers of the Royal Navy
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