Daring-class (Type 45)

Summary

Description

The Type 45 or Daring class is a British class of six guided-missile destroyers designed primarily for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare. These Royal Navy ships employ the PAAMS (Sea Viper) air-defense system, highlighted by the SAMPSON AESA and S1850M long-range radars. Origins of this class involve early collaborations with several NATO nations under the NFR-90 project and later the Horizon-class frigate program with France and Italy, which ultimately led the UK to initiate its national project. BAE Systems became the prime contractor of the Type 45 project following MES's selection and the company's subsequent merger with British Aerospace.

In terms of design, the Type 45 destroyers improved upon the Type 42 Sheffield-class destroyers, offering the capability to engage more targets simultaneously. This class has faced criticism for its rising costs, delays, and scaling back from a potential twelve ships to six. The class encountered operational issues, particularly with the WR-21 gas turbines' Northrop Grumman intercooler, which led to power outages in warmer climates. To solve the issue, a refit program was initiated from 2019 to 2021.

Throughout its construction history, the ships were built using modular construction techniques, with blocks produced at various shipyards and assembled at BAE's facilities in Glasgow and Portsmouth. All six ships were launched by 2010, and by 2012, they were structurally complete.

The Type 45 destroyers are large, technologically advanced ships with gender-neutral living spaces and innovative integrated electric propulsion systems that provide both ship propulsion and power to electrical systems using a computer-controlled setup. This design leads to efficiency, reduced space usage, and greater flexibility.

The class is armed with the Sea Viper (PAAMS) air-defense system, including 48 Sylver Vertical Launching System (VLS) cells for a mix of Aster 15 and 30 missiles. Also equipped are a BAE Systems 4.5-inch Mark 8 naval gun, Phalanx CIWS, machine guns, and the capability to accommodate helicopters for anti-submarine warfare and surveillance. Aster missiles give the Type 45 additional anti-ballistic missile capabilities, which are being explored and enhanced through collaborative international trials.

Currently, the United Kingdom is the sole operator of the Type 45 destroyers. This class is expected to eventually be replaced by the Type 83 destroyers in the late 2030s. The Daring class destroyers serve in various roles, including protecting fleet assets, and have the potential to act as flagships and operate as part of multinational forces. The decommissioning of the Type 45 class is planned for a period between 2035 and 2038.

Technical specifications