8 NAVY NEWS, MAY 2010
Crash of the Kryten
If you need proof that the Duke-class is fi g
A FLASH of fi re in the night from HMS Sutherland’s main gun as the nation’s most potent frigate vents her ire on the Cape Wrath ranges.
an extensive £35 million refi t in Rosyth then here it is.
hting fi t after
Sutherland is one of two escorts for HMS Ark Royal on this summer’s Auriga deployment to the USA.
But with the flagship directed south to take part in a possible evacuation of Brits from the continent, the Devonport-based frigate enjoyed a rather freer hand during the ‘tweaked’ Joint Warrior war games off north-west Scotland. Joint Warrior was the first act of Sutherland’s time with Auriga. She was waved off from her home port on a fi ne April morning by family and friends, including the Deputy Commander in Chief Fleet Vice Admiral Richard Ibbotson who’d chatted with the ship’s company before the frigate departed.
Courtesy of the major overhaul in Rosyth, Sutherland is lauded as ‘the most capable 23 in the Fleet’. She’s the fi r
updated Seawolf system (Seawolf Midlife Update or ‘swimloo’) which effectively doubles the range at which the missile can intercept incoming aerial threats.
of threats travelling up to twice the speed of sound at truly impressive ranges.
st RN frigate to be fi tted with the Its advanced new sensors can track the smallest
So best test it then. A couple of booms and bangs later (actually, it’s more of a very fast whoosh...) and Seawolf downed several aerial targets. The update to Seawolf is just one of a series of upgrades Sutherland received during her lengthy spell on the Forth: there’s the latest variant of sub-hunting Sonar 2087 (which has now been tested on extensive active and passive hunts); a new 4.5in ‘Kryten’ gun capable of fi ring long-range ammunition;
developments in automation have been incorporated in Sutherland’s close-range weapon systems which signifi can
gunnery to improve lethality. Finally, to cut down on fuel usage, there’s a ‘go faster spoiler’ on her stern – aka a transom fl ap – and Intersleek paint applied to her hull to prevent marine organisms sticking to it.
In the run-up to Auriga, Sutherland has been fundamental in ensuring the next generation of specialist warfare offi cers, navigators and COs take up their next appointment fully-prepared for their role.
tly increases the accuracy of fi r st-shot the latest
The ship set a record for the most rounds fired by a Kryten in a single day (247, if you were wondering) during Principal Warfare Offi cers fi ring serials. Good weather during navigation training ensured the Fleet’s future specialist navigators were put through their paces during high-speed coastal navigation runs by day and night. And just to keep the ship’s company on their toes
● (Above) On the lookout for fast- attack craft during Joint Warrior and (right) one of the new and improved Seawolf missile leaves its silo on HMS Sutherland
e
there was some additional training from the FOSTies during Joint Warrior ensuring the 180 men and women are on top of their game as the frigate makes for America.
“My team have been looking forward to this for a long time and have worked extremely hard to make sure we are ready in all respects for this exciting deployment,” said Commanding Offi cer Cdr John Payne.
● Sutherland leaves Devonport with three colourful blocks of fl ats at Mount Wise dominating the skylin
Picture: LA(Phot) Vicki Benwell, FRPU West
Picture: Surg Lt Donald Angus, HMS Sutherland
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