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HMS Daring (D32)
Encyclopedia
HMS Daring is the lead ship of the Type 45
or 'D' class of air defence
destroyer in the Royal Navy
and the seventh ship to hold that name.
She was launched in 2006 on the Clyde and conducted contractor's sea trials during 2007 and 2008. She was handed over to the Royal Navy in December 2008, entered her base port of Portsmouth for the first time in January 2009 and was formally commissioned on 23 July 2009. As the lead ship of the first destroyer class built for the Royal Navy since the Type 42 in the 1970s, she has attracted significant media and public interest. The price tag of approximately £6.6 billion for the six ships represents a significant investment into the future needs of the Royal Navy.
The most distinctive design point of Daring is her 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.
to include e-mail
and entertainment systems (including iPod
charging points) within the messdecks. These reports relate to 230 V domestic supplies
and access to external e-mail, both of which have been common features in most RN vessels for several years.
Daring is, however, notable for being the first Royal Navy vessel 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 berth
s for junior ratings
are far more flexible in accommodating a mixture of male and female sailors
. Men and women will continue to sleep in separate spaces, in common with most other navies.
multi-function radar which can detect hundreds of targets out to a distance of 400 km (248.5 mi) and the PAAMS
missile system. In addition Daring's S1850M
3D
air-surveillance radar is capable of detecting 1,000 targets at up to 400 km (248.5 mi). It is also capable of detecting outer-atmosphere objects such as ballistic missile
s.
missile system.
yard (now BAE Systems Surface Ships) at Scotstoun
on the River Clyde
in March 2003. The ship was launched at 14.21 GMT on 1 February 2006. HRH The Countess of Wessex was the ship's sponsor
at her launch. On 16 November 2006, the Countess of Wessex brought Daring to life on her first official visit. On 17 November 2006, Her Royal Highness switched on the ship's diesel generators, part of the 'powering up' ceremony.
Daring was declared officially "in service" on 31 July 2010, and shortly afterwards on 7 September 2010 was involved in a collision with a tug whilst entering Marchwood Military Port
in Southampton Water
. The cause of the collision and the extent of the damage are yet to be determined.
Daring fired her first Sea Viper missile in May 2011 during a test launch in the Outer Hebrides, after years of trials.
Daring has now been equipped with Phalanx CIWS mounted on either side of the superstructure.
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, the ship has close ties with the team. The chairman of the Birmingham based club, Randy Lerner
, donated a painting to the ship that depicts a maritime battle played within Villa Park
, the home stadium of the club. Members of the ship's company provided a guard of honour
before a game against Middlesbrough F.C.
on the Remembrance Sunday
weekend.
Type 45 destroyer
The United Kingdom's Type 45 destroyer is an air defence destroyer programme of the Royal Navy which will replace its Type 42 destroyers. The first ship in the class, HMS Daring, was launched on 1 February 2006 and commissioned on 23 July 2009. The ships are now built by BAE Systems Surface Ships...
or 'D' class of air defence
Anti-aircraft warfare
NATO defines air defence as "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action." They include ground and air based weapon systems, associated sensor systems, command and control arrangements and passive measures. It may be to protect naval, ground and air forces...
destroyer in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and the seventh ship to hold that name.
She was launched in 2006 on the Clyde and conducted contractor's sea trials during 2007 and 2008. She was handed over to the Royal Navy in December 2008, entered her base port of Portsmouth for the first time in January 2009 and was formally commissioned on 23 July 2009. As the lead ship of the first destroyer class built for the Royal Navy since the Type 42 in the 1970s, she has attracted significant media and public interest. The price tag of approximately £6.6 billion for the six ships represents a significant investment into the future needs of the Royal Navy.
Stealth features
Superstructure
A superstructure is an upward extension of an existing structure above a baseline. This term is applied to various kinds of physical structures such as buildings, bridges, or ships...
free from clutter. This is designed to give the ship a low radar cross section
Radar cross section
Radar cross section is a measure of how detectable an object is with a radar. A larger RCS indicates that an object is more easily detected.An object reflects a limited amount of radar energy...
- commonly called stealth
Stealth ship
A stealth ship is a ship which employs stealth technology construction techniques in an effort to ensure that it is harder to detect by one or more of radar, visual, sonar, and infrared methods...
features. Speculation by the press suggests that this design gives the ship the radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
signature of a fishing boat.
Crew comforts
Daring has frequently been cited by the British press as being the first warshipWarship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
to include e-mail
E-mail
Electronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
and entertainment systems (including iPod
IPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
charging points) within the messdecks. These reports relate to 230 V domestic supplies
Mains electricity
Mains is the general-purpose alternating current electric power supply. In the US, electric power is referred to by several names including household power, household electricity, powerline, domestic power, wall power, line power, AC power, city power, street power, and grid power...
and access to external e-mail, both of which have been common features in most RN vessels for several years.
Daring is, however, notable for being the first Royal Navy vessel to include gender-neutral living spaces to accommodate male and female crew members; communal shower
Shower
A shower is an area in which one bathes underneath a spray of water.- History :...
and heads
Head (watercraft)
The head is a ship's toilet. The name derives from sailing ships in which the toilet area for the regular sailors was placed at the head or bow of the ship.-Design:In sailing ships the toilet was placed in the bow for two reasons...
facilities have given way to individual cubicles, and six-person berth
Berth (sleeping)
The word berth was originally used to describe beds and sleeping accommodation on boats and ships and has now been extended to refer to similar facilities on trains, aircraft and buses.-Beds in boats or ships:...
s for junior ratings
Naval rating
A Naval Rating is an enlisted member of a country's Navy, subordinate to Warrant Officers and Officers hence not conferred by commission or warrant...
are far more flexible in accommodating a mixture of male and female sailors
Sailors
Sailors is the plural form of Sailor, or mariner.Sailors may also refer to:*Sailors , a 1964 Swedish film*Ken Sailors , American basketball playerSports teams*Erie Sailors, baseball teams in Pennsylvania, USA...
. Men and women will continue to sleep in separate spaces, in common with most other navies.
Advanced air defence
The ship's capabilities centre on the SAMPSONSAMPSON
The SAMPSON is a multi-function AESA radar produced by BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies. The SAMPSON multi function radar system is described by BAE Systems as being a world beating air defence system...
multi-function radar which can detect hundreds of targets out to a distance of 400 km (248.5 mi) and the PAAMS
PAAMS
The Principal Anti Air Missile System is a joint French/Italian/British programme for a naval anti-aircraft weapon. The prime contractor is EUROPAAMS, a joint venture between Eurosam and MBDA subsidiary UKAMS . MBDA also owns 66% of Eurosam, in effect giving it a 77% share of the project...
missile system. In addition Daring's S1850M
S1850M
The S1850M is a long range radar for wide area search. The S1850M is produced by BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies and Thales. It is a modified version of the Thales Nederland SMART-L radar. The S1850M is advertised as being capable of fully automatic detection, track initiation and...
3D
Three-dimensional space
Three-dimensional space is a geometric 3-parameters model of the physical universe in which we live. These three dimensions are commonly called length, width, and depth , although any three directions can be chosen, provided that they do not lie in the same plane.In physics and mathematics, a...
air-surveillance radar is capable of detecting 1,000 targets at up to 400 km (248.5 mi). It is also capable of detecting outer-atmosphere objects such as ballistic missile
Ballistic missile
A ballistic missile is a missile that follows a sub-orbital ballistic flightpath with the objective of delivering one or more warheads to a predetermined target. The missile is only guided during the relatively brief initial powered phase of flight and its course is subsequently governed by the...
s.
Anti-air (PAAMS)
Sea ViperPAAMS
The Principal Anti Air Missile System is a joint French/Italian/British programme for a naval anti-aircraft weapon. The prime contractor is EUROPAAMS, a joint venture between Eurosam and MBDA subsidiary UKAMS . MBDA also owns 66% of Eurosam, in effect giving it a 77% share of the project...
missile system.
- 1x SAMPSONSAMPSONThe SAMPSON is a multi-function AESA radar produced by BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies. The SAMPSON multi function radar system is described by BAE Systems as being a world beating air defence system...
multi-function air tracking radar - range of 400 kilometres (248.5 mi). - 1x S1850MS1850MThe S1850M is a long range radar for wide area search. The S1850M is produced by BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies and Thales. It is a modified version of the Thales Nederland SMART-L radar. The S1850M is advertised as being capable of fully automatic detection, track initiation and...
3DThree-dimensional spaceThree-dimensional space is a geometric 3-parameters model of the physical universe in which we live. These three dimensions are commonly called length, width, and depth , although any three directions can be chosen, provided that they do not lie in the same plane.In physics and mathematics, a...
air surveillance radar - range of 400 kilometres (248.5 mi). Capable of tracking up to 1,000 targets, including outer atmosphere objects such as ballistic missileBallistic missileA ballistic missile is a missile that follows a sub-orbital ballistic flightpath with the objective of delivering one or more warheads to a predetermined target. The missile is only guided during the relatively brief initial powered phase of flight and its course is subsequently governed by the...
s. - 48 x Aster 15 and 30 missilesMBDA AsterAster is a family of surface-to-air missiles manufactured by Eurosam, a European consortium consisting of MBDA France, MBDA Italy and the Thales Group .-Overview:The Aster family was developed to perform three distinct missions:...
in a 48 cell SYLVER A50SYLVER launcherThe Sylver is a vertical missile launcher designed by DCNS. The launcher comes in several variants, each distinguished by their height...
vertical launcher. Missiles as follows;- Aster 15MBDA AsterAster is a family of surface-to-air missiles manufactured by Eurosam, a European consortium consisting of MBDA France, MBDA Italy and the Thales Group .-Overview:The Aster family was developed to perform three distinct missions:...
- Short to medium range anti-air missile - range of 2 – 30 km. - Aster 30MBDA AsterAster is a family of surface-to-air missiles manufactured by Eurosam, a European consortium consisting of MBDA France, MBDA Italy and the Thales Group .-Overview:The Aster family was developed to perform three distinct missions:...
- Long range anti-air missile. Also anti-ballistic missileBallistic missileA ballistic missile is a missile that follows a sub-orbital ballistic flightpath with the objective of delivering one or more warheads to a predetermined target. The missile is only guided during the relatively brief initial powered phase of flight and its course is subsequently governed by the...
capable - range of 3 – 120 km.
- Aster 15
Anti-ship
- 4 x Sea SkuaSea SkuaThe Sea Skua is a British lightweight short-range air-to-surface missile designed for use from helicopters against ships. It is primarily used by the Royal Navy on the Westland Lynx helicopter, although Kuwait uses it in a shore battery and on their Umm Al Maradem fast attack craft.The British...
anti-ship missiles. On the embarked Lynx HMA 8 helicopterWestland LynxThe Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...
. - 1 x 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun has an anti-ship role.
- 8 x RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missileAnti-ship missileAnti-ship missiles are guided missiles that are designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea-skimming type, many use a combination of inertial guidance and radar homing...
. The Type 45 has the provision for a pair of quadruple launchers but there are currently no plans to fit this system.
Guns
- 1 x BAE Systems 4.5 inch Mk 8 mod 1 gun.
- 2 x OerlikonOerlikon ContravesRheinmetall Air Defence AG is a division of German armament manufacturer Rheinmetall, created when the company's Oerlikon Contraves unit was renamed on 1 January 2009 and integrated with Rheinmetall's other air-defence products...
30 mm KCB guns on single DS-30B mounts. - 2 x MinigunMinigunThe Minigun is a 7.62 mm, multi-barrel heavy machine gun with a high rate of fire , employing Gatling-style rotating barrels with an external power source...
s and up to 6 x General Purpose Machine GunsFN MAGThe FN MAG is a Belgian 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Fabrique Nationale by Ernest Vervier. It has been used by more than 80 countries, and it has been made under licence in countries such as Argentina, Egypt, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the... - 2 x PhalanxPhalanx CIWSThe Phalanx CIWS is an anti-ship missile defense system. It is a close-in weapon system and was designed and manufactured by the General Dynamics Corporation, Pomona Division...
20 mm close-in weapons systems.
Anti-submarine
- 1 x MFS 7000 sonar
- 2 x Sting Ray torpedoSting Ray torpedoThe Sting Ray torpedo is a current British acoustic homing light-weight torpedo manufactured by GEC-Marconi, who were later bought out by BAE Systems. It entered service in 1983.-Design and development:...
s. On the embarked Lynx HMA 8 helicopterWestland LynxThe Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...
or Merlin HM1 helicopterAgustaWestland EH101The AgustaWestland AW101 is a medium-lift helicopter for military applications but also marketed for civil use. The helicopter was developed as a joint venture between Westland Helicopters in the UK and Agusta in Italy...
. The Merlin HM1 helicopter is fitted with its own dipping sonarSonarSonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels...
and carries sonobuoys.
Construction and launch
Darings construction began at the BAE Systems Naval ShipsBAE Systems Naval Ships
BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions was a wholly owned subsidiary of BAE Systems, based at two shipyards on the River Clyde in Glasgow and BAE Systems' Filton offices...
yard (now BAE Systems Surface Ships) at Scotstoun
Scotstoun
Scotstoun is a historic district of Glasgow, Scotland, west of Glasgow City Centre. It is bounded by Yoker and Knightswood to the west, Victoria Park, Broomhill and Whiteinch to the east, Jordanhill to the north and the River Clyde to the south...
on the River Clyde
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
in March 2003. The ship was launched at 14.21 GMT on 1 February 2006. HRH The Countess of Wessex was the ship's sponsor
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
at her launch. On 16 November 2006, the Countess of Wessex brought Daring to life on her first official visit. On 17 November 2006, Her Royal Highness switched on the ship's diesel generators, part of the 'powering up' ceremony.
Trials
On 18 July 2007 Daring sailed on the first set of sea trials (Stage 1.1), successfully completing them 4 weeks later on 14 August 2007. As she is the first in the class some structural areas needed to be tested, including the loads that the main 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun puts on the ship. During these trials, Daring reached her design speed of 29 knots (57 km/h) in 70 seconds and achieved a speed of 31.5 knots (62 km/h) in 120 seconds. She sailed for Stage 1.2 on 30 March 2008 and returned on 2 May. Stage 1.2 included trials on the Long Range Radar and navigation system, medium calibre gun blast trials, weapon alignment tests and endurance tests. Stage 1.3 trials were conducted between 26 August and 22 September 2008 and emphasis was placed on testing the full range of communications equipment. The ship's company used the opportunity to conduct familiarisation and training activities in preparation for the transfer of the vessel to the Royal Navy in December 2008. Stage 2 trials took place in 2009, once the ship had been handed over to the Royal Navy.Entering service
The navy's first Type 45 destroyer arrived in her home port of Portsmouth on 28 January 2009 to large crowds along the seafront. She was given the honour of a flypast to coincide with her passing of the Round Tower, just outside Portsmouth. Daring was formally commissioned on 23 July 2009 with The Countess of Wessex inspecting an honour guard on the quayside, and reception. The commissioning cake was cut by wife of the commanding officer and Able Seaman Daniel Small who was the youngest member of the ship’s company.Daring was declared officially "in service" on 31 July 2010, and shortly afterwards on 7 September 2010 was involved in a collision with a tug whilst entering Marchwood Military Port
Marchwood Military Port
Marchwood Military Port is a military port located in Marchwood, UK, and the base of 17 Port & Maritime Regiment Royal Logistic Corps. The port was built in 1943 to aid in the D-Day assault on Normandy in 1944 and has since been used to support the Falklands War.Marchwood is also the base-port for...
in Southampton Water
Southampton Water
Southampton Water is a tidal estuary north of the Solent and the Isle of Wight in England. The city of Southampton lies at its most northerly point. Along its salt marsh-fringed western shores lie the New Forest villages of Hythe and "the waterside", Dibden Bay, and the Esso oil refinery at Fawley...
. The cause of the collision and the extent of the damage are yet to be determined.
Daring fired her first Sea Viper missile in May 2011 during a test launch in the Outer Hebrides, after years of trials.
Daring has now been equipped with Phalanx CIWS mounted on either side of the superstructure.
Affiliations
Official affiliations
- City of Birmingham
- GuernseyGuernseyGuernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
- The Royal Dragoon Guards
- No. 11 Squadron RAF
- HMS ForwardHMS Forward (shore establishment 1984)is a Royal Naval Reserve unit located in Birmingham, England, close to St. Andrews football stadium. It has a crew of nearly 100 naval and marine reservists, in addition to a handful of full-time staff...
(Birmingham Royal Naval Reserve) - The Daring Association
- King Edward's School, BirminghamKing Edward's School, BirminghamKing Edward's School is an independent secondary school in Birmingham, England, founded by King Edward VI in 1552. It is part of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, and is widely regarded as one of the most academically successful schools in the country, according to...
- Knowle Sea Scout Group
- Worshipful Company of CarpentersWorshipful Company of CarpentersThe Worshipful Company of Carpenters is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Carpenters were traditionally different from a fellow wood-crafting company, the Joiners' and Ceilers' Company, in that the Carpenters utilised nails while the Joiners used adhesives to attach wood.The...
(A City of London Livery Company) - Birmingham University Royal Naval UnitUniversity Royal Naval UnitA University Royal Naval Unit is a Royal Navy training establishment connected to a university, or a number of universities concentrated in one area...
- The D-Boats Association
- Midland Naval Officers Association
- Daring Class Yachts
Other
While not officially affiliated with the football club Aston Villa F.C.Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, the ship has close ties with the team. The chairman of the Birmingham based club, Randy Lerner
Randy Lerner
Randolph D. Lerner is an American entrepreneur and sports team owner.Lerner has been the owner of the American football team, the Cleveland Browns, of the National Football League since October 2002, and the Chairman of Aston Villa Football Club of the English Premier League since 2006...
, donated a painting to the ship that depicts a maritime battle played within Villa Park
Villa Park
Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
, the home stadium of the club. Members of the ship's company provided a guard of honour
Guard of honour
A guard of honour is a ceremonial event practice in military and sports as a mark of respect.-Military:In the military a guard of honour is a ceremonial practice to honour visiting foreign dignitaries, or the fallen in war, or a ceremony for public figures who have died.The commander is three paces...
before a game against Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
on the Remembrance Sunday
Remembrance Sunday
In the United Kingdom, 'Remembrance Sunday' is held on the second Sunday in November, which is the Sunday nearest to 11 November Armistice Day. It is the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the First World War at 11 a.m...
weekend.