HMS Daring (D32)

"Daring" (HMS "Daring" once commissioned) is the lead ship of the Type 45 or 'D' Class of air defence (AAW) destroyer in the Royal Navy and the seventh ship to hold that name.

Construction and launch

"Daring"'s construction began at the BAE Systems Naval Ships yard (now BVT Surface Fleet) at Scotstoun on the River Clyde in March 2003. [Shipping News - Yard 1061. [http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=21075] ] The ship was launched at 14.21 GMT on 1 February 2006. HRH The Countess of Wessex was the ship's sponsor at her launch. [cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4667132.stm |title=Thousands cheer on warship launch |publisher=BBC |accessdate=2007-07-19] On 16 November 2006, the Countess of Wessex brought "Daring" to life on her first official visit. On 17 November 2006 Her Royal Highness switched on the ship's diesel generators, part of the 'powering up' ceremony. [cite web |url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.7268 |title=Daring powered up for first time |publisher=Royal Navy |accessdate=2007-07-19]

tage 1 Trials

On 18 July, 2007 "Daring" sailed on the first set of sea trials (Stage 1.1) [cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6904026.stm |title=HMS Daring sets sail for trials |publisher=BBC |accessdate=2007-07-19] , successfully completing them 4 weeks later on 14 August 2007. [cite news |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.10007 | title=New destroyer boosts Navy |publisher=Royal Navy |accessdate=2007-08-14] . As she is the first in the class some structural areas needed to be tested, including the loads that the main convert|4.5|in|mm|0|sing=on gun puts on the ship. [cite web |url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.9826 |title=Navys latest destroyer takes to the High Seas |publisher=Royal Navy |date=2007-07-19 |accessdate=2007-07-24] During these trials, "Daring" reached her design speed of convert|29|kn|km/h|0 in 70 seconds and achieved a speed of convert|31.5|kn|km/h|0 in 120 seconds. She sailed for Stage 1.2 on 30 March 2008 and returned on 2 May. Stage 1.2 included trials on the Long Range Radar and navigation system, medium caliber gun blast trials, weapon alignment tests and endurance tests. [cite web |url=http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/9570 |title=Destroyer HMS Daring, Second Stage Sea Trials|publisher=TechNEWS|date=2008-04-05 |accessdate=2008-05-02] Stage 1.3 trials were conducted between 26 August [cite web|url=http://jackspeak.royalnavy.mod.uk/author/alastair-bancroft/|title=Jack Speak blogs - Al Bancroft|publisher=Royal Navy|accessdate=2008-09-26] and 22 September 2008 [cite web|url=http://www.blogs.mod.uk/defence_news/2008/week39/index.html#entry-55790862|title=Defence News, 22 September 2008 - 28 September 2008|publisher=Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|accessdate=2008-09-26] and emphasis was placed on testing the full range of communications equipment. The ship's company used the opportunity to conduct familiarisation and training activities in preparation for the transfer of the vessel to the Royal Navy in December 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/DaringReadyToTakeToTheWaves.htm|title="Daring Ready To Take To The Waves", Defence News article|publisher=Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|accessdate=2008-09-26]

tage 2 Trials

Stage 2 trials are intended to take place in 2009 once the ship has been handed over to the RN. [cite web |url=http://www.fleet-support.co.uk/News/T45-arrival.htm |title=Gearing Up for T45s Arrival|publisher=FSL|date=2007-09-24 |accessdate=2008-05-02]

Design

The most distinctive design point of "Daring" is her sleekly designed straight edges and superstructure free from clutter. This is designed to give the ship a low radar cross section - commonly called stealth features. Speculation by the press suggests that this design gives the ship the radar signature of a fishing boat. [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/15/nwarship115.xml HMS Daring eases through first sea trials] ]

"Daring" has frequently been cited by the British press as being the first warship to include e-mail and entertainment systems (including iPod charging points) [cite web |url=http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/01/british-warships-get-ipod-docks-surround-sound |title=British warships fitted with Ipod docks and surround sound |publisher=Engadget.com |accessdate=2007-07-19] within the messdecks. These reports relate to 240V domestic supplies and access to external e-mail, both of which have been common features in most RN vessels for several years [cite web |url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.6416|title=Some Myths (Myth 8) |publisher=Royal Navy |accessdate=2007-11-20] .

"Daring" is, however, notable for being the first Royal Navy vessel to include gender-neutral living spaces to accommodate male and female crew members; communal shower and heads facilities have given way to individual cubicles, and six-person berths for Junior Ratings are far more flexibile in accommodating a mixture of male and female sailors. [cite web |url=http://www.baesystems.com/daring/week2.asp|title=The Comfort of the Crew |publisher=BAE Systems |accessdate=2007-11-20] Males and females will continue to sleep in separate spaces, in common with most other world navies.

Another feature will be the introduction of a dedicated multi-gym on board, necessitated by the fact that, due to the structure of the ship, it is impossible to run continuously around the deck for exercise.

The "Daring" class will be the most advanced air-defence warship in the world. [cite news | title = World's most advanced destroyer launched tomorrow
work = The Times | publisher = Times Newspapers | page = 37 | date = 2007-01-22 | accessdate = 2007-01-23] The ship's capabilities centre on the SAMPSON Multi Function Radar which can detect targets out to a distance of 400 km (250 miles) and the PAAMS missile system.

Commanding Officers

Since launch, "Daring" has been commanded by a Senior Naval Officer (SNO). In May 2008 Captain P M Bennett OBE Royal Navy became the first Captain, [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.6532|title=Captain Bennett Biography at Royal navy Website|accessdate=2008-05-23] and Cdr Shutts became the Marine Engineering Officer. This is normal practice for a ship-in-build. While a Captain has been appointed in command for this first-of-class ship, once fully in service the ship is likely to be commanded by a Warfare Officer holding the rank of Commander.

Affiliations

Ship's Sponsor
*HRH The Countess of Wessex

Official Affiliations: [ cite web |url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.6536|title=HMS DARING - Affiliations |publisher=Royal Navy |accessdate=2007-11-20]
*City of Birmingham
*Guernsey
*The Royal Dragoon Guards
*No. 11 Squadron RAF
*HMS "Forward" (Birmingham Royal Naval Reserve) [ [http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.00h00100600c006 HMS Forward (Birmingham) : Training Centres : Royal Naval Reserve : Operations and Support : Royal Navy ] ]
*The Daring Association [http://www.axfordsabode.org.uk/daridet.htm]
*King Edward's School, Birmingham [ [http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.10605 Affiliations : HMS Daring : Air Defence Destroyer (Type 45) : Future Ships : Surface Fleet : Operations and Support : Royal Navy ] ]
*4th Knowle Sea Scout Group [ [http://www.knowleseascouts.org.uk 4th Knowle Sea Scout Group (Royal Navy Unit 75) ] ]
*Worshipful Company of Carpenters (A City of London Livery Company) [ [http://www.thecarpenterscompany.co.uk/ HomePage - Carpenters Company ] ]
*Birmingham University Royal Naval Unit [http://www.burnu.org/]
*The D-Boats Association
*Midland Naval Officers Association [http://www.mnoa.org.uk/]
* [http://www.daring.org.uk/index.htm Daring Class Yachts] [cite web|url=http://www.daring.org.uk/content/royal_navy.htm|accessdate=2008-02-28|title=Affiliation with the Royal Navy's new Destroyer Class]

Notes

External links

*BBC - [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4666906.stm Daring launch good news for Clyde]
*BBC - [http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6940000/newsid_6947400/6947476.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&asb=1&news=1 Daring sea trials video]
*Sky News - [http://news.sky.com/skynews/picture_gallery/picture_gallery/0,,30100-1279904-6,00.html Photo gallery of Daring's sea trials]