Equipped with the world beating Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS), the prime role of the Type 45 destroyer will be Anti –Air Warfare protecting UK national and allied/coalition forces against enemy aircraft and missiles.

The Type 45 will also be a multi-role, general-purpose platform capable of operations across the spectrum of tasks.

At 7,350 tons and 151m in length, the Type 45 is considerably larger than the Type 42 it replaces, reflecting the need for greater versatility to meet the wider range of roles the new ships will be called on to perform.

Designed for missions of up to 45 days, the Type 45 will be able to transit 7,000 nautical miles at a speed of 18 knots, and reach a top speed of 29 knots. In addition, the ships are designed for survivability with revolutionary signature reduction factors for stealth.

Type 45 has been designed from the outset to be as economical as possible to run and maintain. Electric propulsion is a major contributing factor, while larger space makes it easier and thus faster and cheaper to overhaul or replace equipments and systems.

Type 45 will be built with growth in mind, specifically to allow for the incremental acquisition of equipment fits to meet the changing demands of defence operations over the life of the class without major rework on the ship structure, and without reducing the quality of life for the crew. The design also allows sufficient margins to accommodate alternative weapons and their launcher systems.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS / TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

The main armament for the new destroyers will be the PAAMS - collaboration between the UK, France and Italy. This capability represents a major step forward for the Royal Navy, putting the UK at the cutting edge of area Anti Air Warfare and ensuring that the Type 45 can defend her consorts and allies for decades to come.

The new generation of missiles could be sea skimming, high diving, supersonic, stealthy, or highly manoeuvrable, and attacks could come from any direction and in salvoes. With its advanced combat system, the Type 45 will greatly enhance the ability of the Royal Navy to defend its warships and other vessels in company from anti-ship missiles and from attacks by aircraft and land-based threats.

PAAMS has been designed to match and defeat the evolving threat of attacks from sophisticated anti-ship missiles and to deal with attacks by aircraft. It can control a substantial number of missiles in the air at once, thus making it difficult for attackers to swamp the Royal Navy's air defences. PAAMS equipment carried by each ship will include a 48-cell Sylver Vertical Launching System (VLS) for Aster missiles. Also central to the PAAMS system is the highly capable SAMPSON Multi-Function Radar (MFR) for surveillance and fire control, the S1850 long-range Radar (LRR) for air/surface search, and the Command and Control system.

The SAMPSON family of radars combines surveillance and dedicated tracking roles into a single system. Sited high on the ship, it can detect and track attacking aircraft and missiles while providing guidance for the ships' own missiles. It supports point and area defence against current and future forecast air threats in an environment of heavy jamming and land and sea clutter. Functionality includes long- and medium-range search, surface picture and high-speed horizon search. It also performs high-angle search and track, multiple target tracking and multiple channel fire control.

The S1850M long-range Radar provides three-dimensional long-range air surveillance and surface surveillance for PAAMS and other ship systems.

The mixture of shorter-range Aster 15 and longer-range Aster 30 missiles selected for the Type 45 are faster and more agile than the previous generation. The system will be optimised for operations in regions around the shore.

The Combat Management System will perform tactical picture compilation, threat evaluation, weapon assignment and control of the other combat system equipment, including PAAMS.

The new ship will introduce standards across cabins, messes and recreational areas that are suitable for both genders, and improve considerably on current levels. With its improved accommodation and ability to perform a variety of roles, the Type 45 is designed to meet the needs of a modern Navy in a changing world, and adapt to new needs throughout the life of the class.

'Room for growth' was a key operational requirement. Thus while the complement is around 190 crew, there is space for up to 235, allowing for the transport of specialist teams and their equipment to carry out a variety of missions - whether military, para-military or disaster relief.

COSTS / IN-SERVICE DATE (ISD) / MAJOR MILESTONES / QUANTITIES

• Cost of construction of 6 ships £6Bn approx, including PAAMS

• Unit Production Cost (UPC) in 2005 was £561.6M per ship (note: UPC excludes cost of development and 'cost of capital' charges)

• In Service Date of First of Class 2009

• Main Gate Approval July 2000

• DFM contract let December 2000

• Class of up to 8 ships

• First Of Class – HMS Daring Launched 1st Feb 2006

COMMERCIAL ASPECTS

The Prime Contractor is BAE SYSTEMS Electronics, who took over Marconi Electronic Systems, who were appointed Prime Contractor for Type 45 on the demise of the Tri – National Horizon project. There is expected to be a large pull-through from the Horizon work into Type 45.

The Procurement Strategy for the ship envisages that the Prime Contractor will place sub-contracts with BAE SYSTEMS Marine (for the assembly of ships one and three) and Vosper Thornycroft (for the assembly of ship two). BAE SYSTEMS Marine is also expected to sub-contract a pre-determined amount of work on the first ship to Vosper Thornycroft. In March 2001, the Prime Contractor announced various equipment selections for the Type 45.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

The PAAMS project is Tri-National collaboration between the United Kingdom, France and Italy. Although the UK withdrew from the Tri-National Horizon Project in 1999, the PAAMS project continues with the intention of producing an Anti-Air Warfare system for the Type 45 Destroyer and the French/Italian Horizon project.