The Type 45 destroyer, also known as the D or Daring class, is a class of six guided-missile destroyers built for the United Kingdom's Royal Navy in the early 21st century. The class is primarily designed for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare and is built around the PAAMS (Sea Viper) air-defence system using the SAMPSON Active ...

The Type 45 destroyers feature a flight deck and hangar to support the operation of a single Merlin helicopter. As well as hunting and obliterating enemy submarines, the Merlins can also be used for round-the-clock maritime patrol and interdiction, casualty evacuation and search and rescue missions.

Apr 7, 2021 · At just over 150m long, the Type 45 destroyer can be recognised at a glance due to its Sampson radar system – a ball-shaped surveillance device that can detect and track threats as well as guide friendly missiles.

The British Royal Navy’s six Type 45 Daring-class guided-missile destroyers were built to replace the 1970s/80s-era Type 42 Sheffield class, applying hard-earned lessons from the 1982 Falkland Islands War and after. The resulting warships are considered among the most impressive and capable air-defense assets in service with any navy today.

The Type 45 destroyer is equipped with long-range weapon systems to intercept air threats, including super-agile manoeuvring missiles with re-attack modes. The UK PAAMS defends the ships from missiles approaching individually or in salvos and is capable of controlling a large number of airborne missiles simultaneously.

May 15, 2024 · In a recent written question to the Secretary of State for Defence, Mark Francois MP sought clarity on the operational status of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers.

Dec 11, 2024 · Work is now underway to add a new vertical launch silo to the first Royal Navy Type 45 air defence destroyer to receive the MBDA Common Anti-air Missile (CAMM) as part of the ships’ Sea Viper anti-air guided weapon system.

Feb 13, 2022 · The Type 45’s primary role is an (outstanding) air defence platform but their lack of anti-ship missiles continues to be a source of concern. There are lots of nuanced arguments to be made to justify this ‘lethality holiday’ but overall RN combatants are under-armed and outmatched by many adversaries.

Dec 10, 2024 · The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that two of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 destroyers are operational, with the remaining four undergoing refit, maintenance or other work. This update came in response to a parliamentary question from David Reed, Conservative MP for Exmouth and Exeter East.

The Type 45 destroyers are primarily designed for anti-air warfare with the capability to defend against sophisticated targets such as fighter aircraft, drones as well as highly maneuverable sea skimming anti-ship missiles travelling at supersonic speeds.