Type 23 Duke Class

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Little h
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Re: RN Frigates: Type 23 Duke Class

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Little h wrote: Sat Nov 10, 2018 2:17 am A bit dated now (2013), but the info might help those who would like ready reference to the ships in the class that are Towed Array equipped.

Final UK Navy Type 23 Frigate Outfitted with Thales Sonar 2087

Following an extensive refit, HMS Portland has become the final Royal Navy Type 23 frigate to be fitted with Thales UK’s Sonar 2087, a towed array sonar system that enables warships to hunt submarines at considerable distances and locate them beyond the range from which they can launch an attack. Portland has now returned to service, with a re-dedication ceremony on 21st March.

The 12-month multi-million pound refit in Rosyth Royal Dockyard of Portland’s sensors, weapons and systems completes a successful joint programme between industry and the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) to ensure the upgraded ships are now the most advanced of their kind in service.

The Royal Navy has described how the combination of a Type 23 frigate fitted with Thales’s Sonar 2087 and a Merlin helicopter equipped with the Thales FLASH dipping sonar makes the class the “most potent anti-submarine warfare platform of any navy at sea today”.

Eight of the Royal Navy’s fleet of Type 23 frigates have now been upgraded for use as submarine hunters. The other seven upgraded ships are Westminster, Northumberland, Richmond, Somerset, Sutherland, Kent and St Albans.

Sonar 2087 is a low-frequency sonar with both active and passive sonar arrays. The system is manufactured at Thales sites in the UK (Cheadle Heath in Manchester and Templecombe in Somerset) and France (Brest).

Source; navaltoday.com April 12, 2013

Again, for ease of reference; the Type 2087 towed array sonar system is/was fitted to the following 8 x Type 23 Duke Class Frigates:-

HMS Kent (F78)
HMS Westminster (F237)
HMS Northumberland (F238) **
HMS Richmond (F239)
HMS Somerset (F82)
HMS Sutherland (F81)
HMS Portland (F79)
HMS St Albans (F83)


5 Nov 2018 NavyLookout on Twitter - Save the Royal Navy.org
** HMS Northumberland deploys her Type 2087 Towed Array Sonar during exercise #TridentJuncture Yellow body is the Low Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS) transducer

, DrPyMTvX4AA2hlf StRN twitter HMS Nort Type 2087 Yellow body Low Freq Active Sonar (LFAS) transducer.jpg
_______________________________________________

Further to the above; this schematic shows the layout associated with Type 23 Frigate 2087 towed array arrangements.

Type-23-Frigate-2087-Towed-Array savetheroyalnavy.jpg

The Type 2087 sonar system on a Type 23 frigate. The ‘wet end’ comprises the LFA (yellow towed body) and a passive array. It is likely that the Type 23s can also upload sonar data via satellite in real time to contribute to the big picture of the IUSS network. This equipment will be transferred to the Type 26 frigate as they enter service. Its open architecture will allow the software to be upgraded continually. (Based on original image from Thales)


Source;
An article dated December 22, 2017; titled Listening to the ocean – the secretive enablers in the underwater battle carried in SAVE THE ROYAL NAVY website.

I hope it is found to be informative
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Little h
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ivorthediver
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Re: Type 23 Duke Class

Unread post by ivorthediver »

Thank you Harry , very informative , and sheds light on the Electricory we have heard so much about but seen so little of
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
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Little h
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Re: Type 23 Duke Class

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Deployable flight deck marking and lighting strip extension 'stanchion'

Previously discussed in the WNSF I decided to include the topic in our new forum. When first I observed these features in a number of images they were exclusively to be seen on Type 23 Frigates and appeared to be associated with the operation of Merlin helicopters. They were occasionally seen with a single 'disc' or a pair of 'discs' attached near the outboard extremity of the 'stanchion'. It appears that the both 'stanchions' when not deployed are stowed somewhere within the hangar. When required for use, they is then taken by hand from within the hangar and lashed to the guardrail/safety nets upright or angled outboard in a lazy position. When deployed for use and the guardrails/safety nets having been lowered these features appear to be secured(?) to the flight deck by some means and project outboard (port & stbd) in continuity with a white deck marking line.

Attachments legend;
- dark red arrow indicates disc(s)

- red arrow indicates deck edge extension lighting strip

- gold arrow indicates deck edge extension flight deck white marking line.
Note that the white line extension is within a channel in the lower/inboard half of the stanchion/feature. This must surely have the effect of shielding the white extension line from view from certain angles astern ... however in a subsequent post there will be a video showing that the Merlin is flown to the hover, to a position off port side almost directly off the extension.


The image in which I first observed the features

HMS St Albans Boarding Team Returns to the Ship MOD_45156182 - Copy.jpg


HMS Kent with the features lashed in 'lazy' position port and stbd (note where the discs are either side)

HMS Kent celebrates the birth of the Prince of Cambridge Picture PA 114784609MOD Metro (2) copy.jpg

HMS Kent celebrates the birth of the Prince of Cambridge Picture PA 114784609MOD Metro (4).jpg
HMS Kent celebrates the birth of the Prince of Cambridge Picture PA 114784609MOD Metro (5).jpg


HMS St. Albans with the features lashed upright (compare with the manner of HMS Kent) - note also that they are secured by a stay in both cases, so must be secured at flight deck level and/or lashed to the raised guardrails/safety nets.


Royal-Navy-Merlin-helicopter-1014x487.jpg
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Little h
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Little h
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Re: Type 23 Duke Class

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Deployable flight deck marking and lighting strip extension 'stanchion' - (continued)

752db3cd8a617f4756ca61e37b198cff Merlin St. Albans F79 Royal navy Pinterest.jpg



Deployed!!
DyGc0wPW0AI9E09 merlin 200,000 hrs.jpg


Note that in the right image below - there appears to be a blanking or protecting plate covering the white line extension within the 'channelled out' section in the lower half of the starboard side stanchion/feature.

Portland (f79) in Portland 4194436_orig.jpg
Portland (F79) in Portland 5642177_orig.jpg
--------------------------------------------------------------------

19th October 2013
HMS Northumberland in Cork; note the handler removing the starboard stanchion/feature at approx 3.30 towards very end of short video. The attachment is a screenshot of the activity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfL-xhm6xBI

Northumberland (F238) Port of Cork 2013 Screenshot (2884).jpg
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Last edited by Little h on Mon Mar 04, 2019 12:36 am, edited 5 times in total.
Little h
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Little h
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Re: Type 23 Duke Class

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Deployable flight deck marking and lighting strip extension 'stanchion' - (continued -1)


DqcQK8pX4AAwix0.jpg
DQYJiXWWAAIonQg RNAS Culdrose Twitter on St Albans night.png

DR9ZQgjXUAENtOh - Copy.jpg
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Little h
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Re: Type 23 Duke Class

Unread post by Little h »

Deployable flight deck marking and lighting strip extension 'stanchion' - (continued - 2)



HMS Kent displaying a considerable array of flight deck; approach; and landing lighting.

HMS Kent at anchor FOST DzXCs6AWoAE-EOj.jpg


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As promised in this previous post (bolded passage in copy below):-
Little h wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2019 10:28 pm Deployable flight deck marking and lighting strip extension 'stanchion'


Note that the white line extension is within a channel in the lower/inboard half of the stanchion/feature. This must surely have the effect of shielding the white extension line from view from certain angles astern ... however in a subsequent post there will be a video showing that the Merlin is flown to the hover, to a position off port side almost directly off the extension.



HMS Kent on Twitter
‏ @hms_kent

How was your wednesday? Tiger 68 of 814 Squadron, @RNASCuldrose, lands on KENT during our FLYEX this evening. Anywhere, anytime, RN ships are ready to land on in any weather. Tiger 68 aren't bad at landing on a moving deck either! #FlyNavy #FlyingTigers #Invicta #royalnavy

https://twitter.com/hms_kent/status/1098311191405957121

Screenshots taken from the short video linked above; note the Merlin adjacent to/aligned with the port extension (red outline)

Screenshot (4199).png
Screenshot (4200).png

Love the comment by Duncan 110802 in the comments section of the linked video
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Little h
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ivorthediver
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Re: Type 23 Duke Class

Unread post by ivorthediver »

Well done Harry and thanks for all your hard work in this area of ships equipment which in the general scheme of things we would have neither any knowledge of nor sight of .
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
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Little h
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Re: Type 23 Duke Class

Unread post by Little h »

NavyLookout Retweeted
HMS SUTHERLAND on Twitter
@HMSSutherland
2h2 hours ago

If you're a #petrolhead you'll know how challenging an engine change is. Onboard a #warship we up the complexity - thanks to our dedicated team of Marine Engineers (some affectionately known as 'Diesel Weasels'), civilian contractors and Naval Base support staff we nailed it.
D1UHRwkXgAAUTnz.jpg
D1UHSOlWwAA1vAS.jpg

D1UHS20WwAAYUMr.jpg
D1UHTpIWoAE0eem.jpg


I have adopted a 'belt & braces approach' to recording this evolution in the thread - so there are both attachments and a link.
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Last edited by Little h on Sun Mar 10, 2019 10:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Little h
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Little h
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Re: Type 23 Duke Class

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Short video (15 seconds)

HMS SUTHERLAND on Twitter
@HMSSutherland
6:03 AM - 8 Mar 2019

We're not the fastest @RoyalNavy Type 23 frigate for nothing!!!!
We call these 'Devonport or Guzz Revs' - similar to 'Pompey Revs' just a little quicker ⚓
#FightingClanAtSea
#PowerToCommand
#FridayFeeling


Screenshot from the short video (linked above)
Screenshot (4237).png
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Little h
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jbryce1437
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Re: Type 23 Duke Class

Unread post by jbryce1437 »

Thanks Harry, looks as simple as changing a car engine ;)

Jim
HMS Raleigh 1963 , HMS Collingwood 1963 & 67 , HMS Ark Royal 1964-7, HMS Undaunted 1968-71, HMS Victory (Fleet Maintenance Group) 1971-72, HMS Exmouth 1972-74
JEM, EM, OEM, LOEM, POOEL
Then 28 years in the Fire Brigade
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