U.K. Royal Navy HMS Sutherland Deploys With Multinational TaskForce
UNITED KINGDOM - 29 APRIL 2010
Following an extensive £35 million refit in Rosyth, Scotland, a busy period of support to training and maritime security in UK waters HMS Sutherland set sail from Devonport on 6 Apr 10 to join the AURIGA Task Group ahead of a deployment incorporating multiple exercises with various allied nations. Waved off by family and friends, including the Deputy Commander in Chief Fleet, Vice Admiral Richard Ibbotson, the Type 23 Frigate looked in great shape as she transited out of Plymouth for the 4 ½ months multi-national deployment. She is now the most capable within the Fleet after benefiting from a significant uplift in her propulsion systems, advanced air defence systems, submarine detection and classification capability and automated gunnery systems.
The Type 23 Frigate is the first to be fitted with the updated Sea Wolf missile defence system which enables her to defend against current and future anti-ship threats. Being the first of her class to receive Sea Wolf Midlife Update, Sutherland has been at the forefront of enhancing the Royal Navy’s capability and maintaining a fighting edge. Seawolf’s advanced new sensors can track the smallest of threats travelling up to twice the speed of sound at truly impressive ranges. The Royal Navy will be upgrading the rest of the frigate fleet over the coming years.
The update to Seawolf is just one of a series of upgrades that have enhanced Sutherland’s capability. Improved submarine detection comes courtesy of the latest Sonar equipment, Sonar 2087, whilst a new main gun, capable of firing long-range ammunition has the ability to engage hostile surface units and is capable of projecting fire power from sea, deep into enemy territory in support of land operations. Developments in the automation of close range weapon systems were also included in this upgrade package which increases the accuracy of first shot gunnery to improve lethality. Finally a redesigned transom and new paint system has been used in recoating the hull bottom that increases speed as well as improving fuel economy.
HMS Sutherland has been fundamental in ensuring the next wave of specialist warfare officers, navigators and Commanding Officers join their next appointment fully prepared for their role. Principal Warfare Officers firing serials conducted in October 2009 set the record for the most rounds fired by the new 4.5” Mk 8 MoD 1 Gun in a single day which ensured both Deep Magazine and Gunbay Crews were kept busy. Good weather during navigation training ensured the Fleet’s future specialist navigators were put through their paces during high speed coastal navigation runs throughout day and night.
Her anti-submarine warfare capability has been practiced with dedicated training in complex active and passive sonar principals. She now joins the AURIGA Task Group as the Anti-submarine Warfare Commander and is looking forward to working with the UK’s allies and live submarines over the 4 ½ month deployment. Prior to leaving UK waters Sutherland commenced her integration with the AURIGA Task Group during Exercise Joint Warrior in April 2010. In addition, FOST Continuation Training during Exercise Joint Warrior has ensured her Ship’s Company is fully prepared for a series of exercises during the transit to America.
U.K. Royal Navy HMS Sutherland exercising against seaborne threat
Night Firing
Sea Wolf missile defence system
DCinC visits HMS Sutherland
File Photo: A U.K. Royal Navy Merlin helicopter hovers alongside HMS Sutherland
Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence
UNITED KINGDOM - 29 APRIL 2010
Following an extensive £35 million refit in Rosyth, Scotland, a busy period of support to training and maritime security in UK waters HMS Sutherland set sail from Devonport on 6 Apr 10 to join the AURIGA Task Group ahead of a deployment incorporating multiple exercises with various allied nations. Waved off by family and friends, including the Deputy Commander in Chief Fleet, Vice Admiral Richard Ibbotson, the Type 23 Frigate looked in great shape as she transited out of Plymouth for the 4 ½ months multi-national deployment. She is now the most capable within the Fleet after benefiting from a significant uplift in her propulsion systems, advanced air defence systems, submarine detection and classification capability and automated gunnery systems.
The Type 23 Frigate is the first to be fitted with the updated Sea Wolf missile defence system which enables her to defend against current and future anti-ship threats. Being the first of her class to receive Sea Wolf Midlife Update, Sutherland has been at the forefront of enhancing the Royal Navy’s capability and maintaining a fighting edge. Seawolf’s advanced new sensors can track the smallest of threats travelling up to twice the speed of sound at truly impressive ranges. The Royal Navy will be upgrading the rest of the frigate fleet over the coming years.
The update to Seawolf is just one of a series of upgrades that have enhanced Sutherland’s capability. Improved submarine detection comes courtesy of the latest Sonar equipment, Sonar 2087, whilst a new main gun, capable of firing long-range ammunition has the ability to engage hostile surface units and is capable of projecting fire power from sea, deep into enemy territory in support of land operations. Developments in the automation of close range weapon systems were also included in this upgrade package which increases the accuracy of first shot gunnery to improve lethality. Finally a redesigned transom and new paint system has been used in recoating the hull bottom that increases speed as well as improving fuel economy.
HMS Sutherland has been fundamental in ensuring the next wave of specialist warfare officers, navigators and Commanding Officers join their next appointment fully prepared for their role. Principal Warfare Officers firing serials conducted in October 2009 set the record for the most rounds fired by the new 4.5” Mk 8 MoD 1 Gun in a single day which ensured both Deep Magazine and Gunbay Crews were kept busy. Good weather during navigation training ensured the Fleet’s future specialist navigators were put through their paces during high speed coastal navigation runs throughout day and night.
Her anti-submarine warfare capability has been practiced with dedicated training in complex active and passive sonar principals. She now joins the AURIGA Task Group as the Anti-submarine Warfare Commander and is looking forward to working with the UK’s allies and live submarines over the 4 ½ month deployment. Prior to leaving UK waters Sutherland commenced her integration with the AURIGA Task Group during Exercise Joint Warrior in April 2010. In addition, FOST Continuation Training during Exercise Joint Warrior has ensured her Ship’s Company is fully prepared for a series of exercises during the transit to America.
U.K. Royal Navy HMS Sutherland exercising against seaborne threat
Night Firing
Sea Wolf missile defence system
DCinC visits HMS Sutherland
File Photo: A U.K. Royal Navy Merlin helicopter hovers alongside HMS Sutherland
Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence
