HMS Monmouth, the 'Black Duke', as she sails to the Middle East in 2011.
HMS Monmouth, a type 23 frigate, has sailed for sea trials after an 18 month refit in Plymouth having had its weaponry and systems upgraded.
HMS Monmouth, the ‘Black Duke’, as she sails to the Middle East in 2011.
The Type 23 frigate was originally designed for anti-submarine warfare against the Soviets but the addition of the vertical-launch Seawolf missile and Harpoon surface-to-surface missiles, has expanded its role and it’s now capable of a wide spectrum of naval taskings, it will be replaced by the Type 26 frigate beginning at the end of the decade.
The upgrades included replacing Radar 996 with Artisan 3D Medium Range Radar 997, a midlife update to the vessels Seawolf missiles, galley updates, installation of a chloropac system that reduces marine growth in the pipe system and the installation of automatic small calibre guns.
Instalation of small calibre automatic guns? What are these then?
30mm Bushmaster with remote control IIR.