I have been doing some research on the next generation of Royal Navy Air Defence Destroyer, the awesome looking, sexy, and stealthy Type 45 "D" Class.What I have shockingly discovered is that even though the Type 45 is far more advanced technologically in almost every way than other escort type ships of its class, the destroyer is very lightly armed!
According to Wikipedia and their citations...
- The Type 45 has the "Aster 15" and "Aster 30" Air defence missiles system launched from the SLYVER 50 vertical launcher, But the ship has no anti- ship attack capability! (except for the Sea Skua aboard the embarked Lynx or Merlin helicopter)
- "The Type 45 destroyer has the provision for a pair of quadruple RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers, but there are currently no plans to fit this system"
What???OK, what about the land attack ability?
- "The Type 45 as it stands has no land-attack missile capability and the SYLVER A50 launcher currently has no capability to fire such a missile. However, should the need arise, it would be possible to fit them with the American Mk. 41 VLS, firing the BGM-109 Tomahawk"
OK, then at the very least, the ship surely has the ability to shoot down incoming missiles and planes as a secondary back up system to the Aster...?- The Type 45 is fitted for but not with' 2 x Phalanx 20 mm close-in weapons systems"
Did the "powers that be" learn nothing from the Falklands war?? a close-in weapons systems is absolutely essential for any warship as a last line of defence for incoming missiles and aircraft!
OK, lets move on, what about a submarine threat, can the Type 45 defend itself and a battle group against those nasty subs?- The Type 45 is Fitted for but not with' STWS (Ship-launched Torpedo Weapon System) Mark 2 324 mm triple launchers for Sting Ray torpedoes." (The Lynx or Merlin Helicopter can carry the Stingray Air launched Torpedo)
The Type 45 does have the 114 mm (4.5 inch) Mk 8 mod 1 gun and 2 x Oerlikon 30 mm KCB guns but then most ships have this type of weaponry anyway.
Maybe the top brass reckon they can fit all this new weponry to our shiny new ships in time, should the need arise.I just hope no one ever launches a surprise attack at the type 45 destroyer and takes out the helicopter, because according to this information, the Helicopter itself is more of an offensive threat than the Ship itself!!
Lets compare this to the current Type 22 Royal Navy Frigate such as HMS Cornwall (launched in 1985) she carries...
- The combat proven Seawolf interceptor missiles for air defence,
- 8 Harpoon Anti-ship missiles,
- The awesome Dutch Goalkeeper Close in Weapons System
- Two Magazine launched anti-submarine torpedo tubes!
What about the Type 42 Destroyer, the very ship that the Type 45 is to replace?
The Type 42 Destroyer is armed with...
- Combat proven Sea Dart missile system
- 2 x 3-tube STWS-1 launchers for 324 mm (12.75") A/S torpedoes
- 2 x Phalanx CIWS
- Lynx Helicopter with the Sea Skua and Stingray Torpedo
I therefore conclude that, in theory if a Type 22 Frigate and a Type 45 Destroyer engaged each other in combat, the Type 22 would kick the shiny stealthy arse of the "D" Class .If the Type 45 and a Type 42 had to protect a battle group, I think the Aster would have the edge when it comes to incoming threats, but even the ageing the Type 42 can defend itself in a worst case with the Phalanx.
The Type 42 can even launch Torpedoes even if the Helicopter got put out out of action!
Now I know that a Destroyer is mainly for Air Defence and would normally not engage a Frigate, but compare the Type 45 to even a Canadian Iroquois Class Destoyer and you will see that even they have an Anti Submarine cabability on board.
The whole thing is nuttier than a squirrels turd if you ask me.
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