HMS DARING (D32)

HMS ''Daring''
HMS ''Daring'' embarking on sea trials
Career	RN Ensign
Ordered:	December 2000
First steel cut:	28th March 2003
Launched:	1st February 2006
Commissioned:	Expected 2009
Fate:	Sea Trials
General Characteristics
Displacement:	7350 tonnes
Length:	152.4 m
Beam:	21.2 m
Draught:	5.0 m
Propulsion:	2 Rolls-Royce WR-21 gas turbines, Alstom electric motors
Speed:	29+ knots[1]
Range:	7,000 nautical miles / 13 000 km (at economical speed)
Complement:	190
Armament:	PAAMS Air Defence Missile System: ★ 6 x 8 cell SYLVER VLS ★ Aster 15 missiles ★ Aster 30 missiles ★ SAMPSON radar ★ S1850M 3D radar2 Phalanx CIWS (Close-in weapons system) BAE Systems 114 mm (4.5 inch) Mk 8 Mod. 1 gun 2 x 30 mm guns
Decoy Systems:	Seagnat and active torpedo (initial) infra-red 'spoofing' device (for retrofit)
Other Armaments:	Launch capability and space for 8 RGM-84 Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles Hullspace, power and control systems for future installation of ship-launched torpedo system
Aircraft:	Lynx HMA8
Motto:	''Splendide audax'' ("Finely Daring")

The '''Daring''' ('HMS ''Daring''' once commissioned) is the lead ship of the Type 45 or 'D' Class of air defence destroyer (AAW) currently being built for the Royal Navy, and the seventh ship to hold that name.

Contents

Construction and launch

Trials

Design

Affiliations

Notes

External links

Construction and launch

''Daring's construction began at the BAE Systems Naval Ships yard at Scotstoun ^[2]on the River Clyde in March 2003. The ship was launched at 14.21 GMT on February 1 2006. HRH The Countess of Wessex was the ship's sponsor at her launch.^[3] On 16 November 2006, the Countess of Wessex brought to life ''Daring'' on her first official visit. On 17 November 2006 Her Royal Highness switched on the ship's diesel generators, part of 'powering up' ceremony.^[4]

Trials

On 18 July, 2007 ''Daring'' completed the fitting out process and embarked on her long period of sea trials.^[5] The first session of trials were conducted by BAE Systems for four weeks. As she is the first in the class some structural areas needed to be tested, including the loads that the main 4.5 inch gun puts on the ship.^[6]
The first phase of sea trials were successfully completed on 14 August 2007.^[7] During these trials, ''Daring'' reached her design speed of 29 knots in 70 seconds and achieved a speed of 31.5 knots in 120 seconds.

Design

The most unique design point of the "Daring" is her sleekly designed straight edges. This is designed to give the ship a low radar cross section - commonly called stealth features. This design gives the ship the radar signature of a fishing boat.^[8]
''Daring'' is both the first warship to include e-mail and entertainment systems (including iPod charging points)^[9] within the messdecks and the first Royal Navy vessel to include gender-neutral living spaces to accommodate male and female crew members.
The ''Daring'' class will be the most advanced air-defence warship in the world.^[10] The ship's capabilities centre on the SAMPSON Multi Function Radar which can detect targets out to a distance of 400 km (250 miles) and the PAAMS missile system.

Affiliations

''By date of affiliation:''

★ City of Birmingham

★ 4th Knowle Sea Scout Group

★ Cambridge University Royal Naval Unit

★ HMS ''Raider''

★ The Royal Dragoon Guards

★ Birmingham University Royal Naval Unit

Notes

HMS Daring being launched from YSLs Scotstoun yard.

1. Daring is mean, green and built for speed Alan MacDermid
2. Shipping News - Yard 1061. [1]
3. Thousands cheer on warship launch
4. Daring powered up for first time
5. HMS Daring sets sail for trials
6. Navys latest destroyer takes to the High Seas
7. New destroyer boosts Navy
8. HMS Daring eases through first sea trials
9. British warships fitted with Ipod docks and surround sound
10. World's most advanced destroyer launched tomorrow

External links

★ BBC - Daring launch good news for Clyde

★ BBC - Daring sea trials video

★ Sky News - Photo gallery of Daring's sea trials