Type 42 destroyer
The Type 42 Destroyer, or Sheffield Class, were designed in the early 1970's to provide air defence for the Royal Navy. In total fourteen vessels were constructed, eleven of which remain in service with the Royal Navy. Two were lost in the Falklands War due to enemy fire.
The Type 42 Destroyer was based on the Type 82 Bristol Class Warship, it was however, designed to be smaller and more cost effective. The primary weapon is the Sea Dart surface to air missile. Although claimed to be obsolete, it is still effective against most modern missile threats, as proven by the 1991 Gulf War.
The Type 42 is also equipped with a 4.5inch (114mm) main gun, six torpedo launchers, and two Vulcan Phalanx Mk.15 Close-In Weapons Systems (CIWS). There have been three batches of ships, and as per the norm, Batch 3 ships were heavily upgraded. Although the Batch 3 ships were lengthened, but the planned Sea Wolf missile systems were never fitted.
The ships are all scheduled to be out of service by 2014. They are to be replaced by the Type 45. The first six Type 45s have been ordered, with a further six due to be ordered later in the decade.
Referenced By
Current Royal Navy ships | HMS Exeter | HMS Sheffield
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