Daring launch good news for Clyde

By Hayley Millar
BBC Scotland business correspondent

HMS Daring is the biggest warship ever to launch at the Scotstoun shipyard in
Glasgow.

Every new ship is named by a Lady Sponsor and HMS Daring had a Royal launch,
with Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex as her sponsor.

The Type 45s will replace the Navy's aging fleet of Type 42 destroyers, such as
HMS Glasgow.

On the outside, first-of-class Daring is significantly bigger, but it is inside
where the real differences lie.


Lt Cdr Dean Woodruff RN, who has been overseeing Daring's progress, said she was
something special for the Royal Navy.

He said: "When she comes into service in 2009, we're going to have the most
advanced warship in the world.

"The combat system is the cutting edge of technology and we've gone to a full
electric propulsion system."

HMS Daring will have more firepower than the combined fleet of Type 42
destroyers.

Her main weapon, the Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS), will monitor the
airspace for hundreds of miles around the fleet she is protecting.

For those serving on HMS Daring, life at sea should be much more advanced too.

Modern accommodation

More space has been allocated for recreational areas including the first purpose
built fitness centre.

The old-style messes accommodating 30 or 40 men have been replaced by cabins
which sleep six.

Each berth will have its own internet connection.

Lt Cdr Woodruff said it was a distinct step forward for the Royal Navy.

"We've certainly caught up with the electronic age," he said.

"Nowadays the crew can write home on their laptops and it can be with their
loved ones within hours rather than days, which is what I was used to when I
first joined up."

All ranks were asked what they would like on board Daring and 95% of their ideas
have been incorporated.

"When I've been hosting fleet visits up here, they always tell me that they want
to serve on this ship," Lt Cdr Woodruff added.

D-class fleet

"She should definitely help us recruit in the future."

Daring is the first of the Royal Navy's D-class of ships.

So far six ships have been ordered by the Ministry of Defence.

Dauntless and Diamond are currently being built across the Clyde at BAE's Govan
yard.


Along with Dragon, Defender and Duncan, the others will launch from Govan.

This 'production line' approach has led to improved efficiency in the Type 45
programme.

Andy Hamilton, BAE System's shipbuilding director at Govan is overseeing
Daring's sister ships at the yard.

He admitted that as each ship was built, efficiencies improved.

Mr Hamilton said: "Today we drive for efficiency, so we need to ensure we're
doing the work in the most cost effective manner."

Record investment

HMS Dauntless and Diamond are being fitted out to a much higher level than any
previous class of ship.

Mr Hamilton said that, a year before her launch date, Dauntless was fitted out
to a level normally not expected until two years after launch.

This expertise will prepare BAE Systems for its involvement in the Navy's new
aircraft carriers, part of which will be built on the Clyde.

Record number of apprentices and record levels of investment in the yards signal
the healthiest future Clyde shipbuilding has seen for some time.

TYPE-45 DESTROYER - THE NAVY'S NEWEST WARSHIP
1 Flight deck to take Lynx or Merlin combat helicopter
2 Navigation radar
3 Long-range radar monitors air and surface threats
4 Communications mast
5 Small-calibre gun
6 Multi-function radar can guide ship's missiles and detect enemy ones
7 Gunfire control system
8 Vertical-launching system for short- and long-range missiles
9 Medium-calibre main gun
10 Bow sonar (under keel)

TYPE-45 FACTS AND FIGURES
Length - 152.4m
Beam - 21.2m (max)
Displacement - 7,350 tonnes
Range - 7,000 nautical miles
Max speed - 27 knots
Complement - 190 (max 235)

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4666906.stm

Published: 2006/02/01 16:04:40 GMT

"Garrison Hilliard" wrote in message
...
Daring launch good news for Clyde

By Hayley Millar
BBC Scotland business correspondent

HMS Daring is the biggest warship ever to launch at the Scotstoun shipyard
in
Glasgow.

Every new ship is named by a Lady Sponsor and HMS Daring had a Royal
launch,
with Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex as her sponsor.

The Type 45s will replace the Navy's aging fleet of Type 42 destroyers,
such as
HMS Glasgow.

On the outside, first-of-class Daring is significantly bigger, but it is
inside
where the real differences lie.


Lt Cdr Dean Woodruff RN, who has been overseeing Daring's progress, said
she was
something special for the Royal Navy.

He said: "When she comes into service in 2009, we're going to have the
most
advanced warship in the world.

"The combat system is the cutting edge of technology and we've gone to a
full
electric propulsion system."

HMS Daring will have more firepower than the combined fleet of Type 42
destroyers.

Her main weapon, the Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS), will
monitor the
airspace for hundreds of miles around the fleet she is protecting.

For those serving on HMS Daring, life at sea should be much more advanced
too.

Modern accommodation

More space has been allocated for recreational areas including the first
purpose
built fitness centre.

The old-style messes accommodating 30 or 40 men have been replaced by
cabins
which sleep six.

Each berth will have its own internet connection.

Lt Cdr Woodruff said it was a distinct step forward for the Royal Navy.

"We've certainly caught up with the electronic age," he said.

"Nowadays the crew can write home on their laptops and it can be with
their
loved ones within hours rather than days, which is what I was used to when
I
first joined up."

All ranks were asked what they would like on board Daring and 95% of their
ideas
have been incorporated.

"When I've been hosting fleet visits up here, they always tell me that
they want
to serve on this ship," Lt Cdr Woodruff added.

D-class fleet

"She should definitely help us recruit in the future."

Daring is the first of the Royal Navy's D-class of ships.

So far six ships have been ordered by the Ministry of Defence.

Dauntless and Diamond are currently being built across the Clyde at BAE's
Govan
yard.


Along with Dragon, Defender and Duncan, the others will launch from Govan.

This 'production line' approach has led to improved efficiency in the Type
45
programme.

Andy Hamilton, BAE System's shipbuilding director at Govan is overseeing
Daring's sister ships at the yard.

He admitted that as each ship was built, efficiencies improved.

Mr Hamilton said: "Today we drive for efficiency, so we need to ensure
we're
doing the work in the most cost effective manner."

Record investment

HMS Dauntless and Diamond are being fitted out to a much higher level than
any
previous class of ship.

Mr Hamilton said that, a year before her launch date, Dauntless was fitted
out
to a level normally not expected until two years after launch.

This expertise will prepare BAE Systems for its involvement in the Navy's
new
aircraft carriers, part of which will be built on the Clyde.

Record number of apprentices and record levels of investment in the yards
signal
the healthiest future Clyde shipbuilding has seen for some time.

TYPE-45 DESTROYER - THE NAVY'S NEWEST WARSHIP
1 Flight deck to take Lynx or Merlin combat helicopter
2 Navigation radar
3 Long-range radar monitors air and surface threats
4 Communications mast
5 Small-calibre gun
6 Multi-function radar can guide ship's missiles and detect enemy ones
7 Gunfire control system
8 Vertical-launching system for short- and long-range missiles
9 Medium-calibre main gun
10 Bow sonar (under keel)

TYPE-45 FACTS AND FIGURES
Length - 152.4m
Beam - 21.2m (max)
Displacement - 7,350 tonnes
Range - 7,000 nautical miles
Max speed - 27 knots
Complement - 190 (max 235)

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4666906.stm

Published: 2006/02/01 16:04:40 GMT




Is it a custom in the UK for all ships in a particular class to have names
that start with the same letter as the class of ship? Seems to be.

"D" class:

Daring
Dauntless
Diamond
Dragon
Defender
Duncan

RCE

Is it a custom in the UK for all ships in a particular class to have names
that start with the same letter as the class of ship? Seems to be.



Well yes and no, in the past some Classes have all started with the same
letter, especially submarines, but it is more common to have a 'theme' for
the names: eg County Class - names of counties, Leander Class - Classical
Greek heroes Battle Class - famous battles etc.

The 'Old' Daring class ships did all start with the same letter.

Regards
Jeff

Jeff wrote:
Is it a custom in the UK for all ships in a particular class to have names
that start with the same letter as the class of ship? Seems to be.




Well yes and no, in the past some Classes have all started with the same
letter, especially submarines, but it is more common to have a 'theme' for
the names: eg County Class - names of counties, Leander Class - Classical
Greek heroes Battle Class - famous battles etc.

The 'Old' Daring class ships did all start with the same letter.

Regards
Jeff



OK - here's a quiz question for you......

Which Leander Class Frigate was NOT named after a Classical Greek hero
.... ?? - the exception to the rule....

Same question about exceptions goes to the USS 'City of Corpus Christi'
Los Angeles class SSN ?? What is unusual about that name ??

Ken

"Ken Duffey" wrote in message
...
Jeff wrote:
Is it a custom in the UK for all ships in a particular class to have
names that start with the same letter as the class of ship? Seems to be.




Well yes and no, in the past some Classes have all started with the same
letter, especially submarines, but it is more common to have a 'theme'
for the names: eg County Class - names of counties, Leander Class -
Classical Greek heroes Battle Class - famous battles etc.

The 'Old' Daring class ships did all start with the same letter.

Regards
Jeff

OK - here's a quiz question for you......

Which Leander Class Frigate was NOT named after a Classical Greek hero ...
?? - the exception to the rule....

Cleopatra



Same question about exceptions goes to the USS 'City of Corpus Christi'
Los Angeles class SSN ?? What is unusual about that name ??

2nd ship to be named after the Texas seaport?


Ken


RCE

"
OK - here's a quiz question for you......

Which Leander Class Frigate was NOT named after a Classical Greek hero ...
?? - the exception to the rule....


Cleopatra.... I guess they ran out of popular Greek heroes

Regards
Jeff

"Jeff" wrote in message
...

"
OK - here's a quiz question for you......

Which Leander Class Frigate was NOT named after a Classical Greek hero
....
?? - the exception to the rule....


Cleopatra.... I guess they ran out of popular Greek heroes

Cleopatra was a Greek.

She was the last of the Helenistic dynasty known as the Ptolemaics and was
descended from Alexander's general called, obviously enough Ptolemy..

She just happened to rule Egypt

--
William Black

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.

On Thu, 02 Feb 2006 17:05:54 +0000, Ken Duffey wrote:

Same question about exceptions goes to the USS 'City of Corpus Christi'
Los Angeles class SSN ?? What is unusual about that name ??

As far as I know, no other US vessel named after a city is named
"City of...".

When the submarine was launched in 1981, some religious and
antinuclear protest groups were upset that the Navy planned
to name a nuclear-powered sub that would carry tactical nuclear
weapons "Corpus Christi", Latin for "Body of Christ."

The name was eventually changed to "City of Corpus Christi"
to make it clear that SSN-705 was named after the city in
Texas, and to avoid implying to the world that God was on
our side of the Cold War, not the side of our Godless Commie
******* adversaries.

I'm not sure if the name was changed before or after SSN-705
commissioned in January 1983. The Naval Vessel Register shows
the name as "USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705) (ex-Corpus
Christi)" [1].


ljd

[1] http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/SSN705.htm

Jeff wrote:
Is it a custom in the UK for all ships in a particular class to have names
that start with the same letter as the class of ship? Seems to be.



Well yes and no, in the past some Classes have all started with the same
letter, especially submarines, but it is more common to have a 'theme' for
the names:

There was once a HMS Cockchafer... would love to know what the rest of
the class we called....

In article .com,
David McArthur wrote:

Jeff wrote:
Is it a custom in the UK for all ships in a particular class to have names
that start with the same letter as the class of ship? Seems to be.



Well yes and no, in the past some Classes have all started with the same
letter, especially submarines, but it is more common to have a 'theme' for
the names:

There was once a HMS Cockchafer... would love to know what the rest of
the class we called....

APHIS (1915), BEE (1916), both by Aisa Co.

CICALA (1915), COCKCHAFER (1915), CRICKET (1915), GLOWWORM (1916), all by Barclay
Curle.

GNAT (1915), LADYBIRD (1915), both by Lobnitz.

MANTIS (1915), MOTH (1915) both by Sunderland S.B. Co.

SCARAB (1915), TARANTULA (1915), both by Wood, Skinner and Co.

"Insect" class, unsurprisingly. There was also a "Fly" class of rather smaller
gunboats.

Cockchafer ended her life as a WRNS accomodation ship. This led to comments.

--
Andy Breen ~ Not speaking on behalf of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth

"Who dies with the most toys wins" (Gary Barnes)