Type 45 Combat Systems Integration Picks Up the Pace

BAE Systems, GLASGOW, UK: Following the outstanding success of the stage one sea trials for the first-of-class Type 45, Daring, the programme to build the world’s most advanced warship for the Royal Navy has continued to deliver against a tough schedule, with testing and re-testing of the ship’s most complex systems before she next goes to sea. 
 
Combat systems trials at the Maritime Integration and Support Centre, BAE Systems' multi-million pound facility at Portsmouth designed to de-risk the complex programme, include a series of “co-operative” aircraft trials, enabling the testing and continued integration of all four of the key radar systems, the Multi-Function Radar (MFR), the Long Range Radar (LRR), the Radar Electronic Support Measures (RESM) and the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF). 
 
According to BAE Systems' Type 45 head of combat team Sean Finlay: “The land-based testing has already ironed out a number of key issues and the radar systems are providing excellent levels of detection and good data transfer from the sensors to the command system. 
 
“We are confident of continuing the excellent progress that will enable us to test the systems at sea during the second phase of trials in Spring 2008.” 
 
The next major event in the programme's six-ship schedule is the launch of the third ship, Diamond, on 27 November. The team has been pulling out the stops to ensure the vessel will be more than 60 percent complete by the time she enters the water for the first time – making her one of the most structurally complete ships at launch ever built. 
 
Ship two, Dauntless, is now two-thirds complete and is expected to be fitted with her Multi Function Radar in the coming weeks. 
 
Ships four, five and six are all progressing well and the bow section of ship four is expected to arrive in Glasgow before the end of the year with the first block on the berth planned for January 08. 
 
Commenting on progress, BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions managing director Vic Emery said: “The sea trials aboard HMS Daring were outstanding. In her we have a ship that has already performed above specification whilst on sea trials, which will make her a great asset to the Royal Navy when she enters service in 2009. 
 
“However, it is important to note that such successes are happening right across the programme as a result of a close working partnership with VT in Portsmouth, our customers, the MOD’s Defence Equipment & Support organisation and the Royal Navy, and the many supply chain partners. 
 
“To be in the position of launching Diamond when she is 60 percent complete is remarkable and a real testament to the exceptional work that has been done on both on the Clyde and in Portsmouth.”  
 
BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 96,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15 billion (US $27 billion) in 2006 on a pro forma basis, assuming BAE Systems had owned Armor Holdings Inc for the whole of 2006.