February 26, 201214 yr Hi, Was at Portsmouth naval base this morning and got some close up looks at HMS Dauntless and Dragon, Lot of work going on around the main mast of Dauntless and I notice neither ship currenetly had Phalanx mounted. I guess this will happen just before deployment down South. As an aside I took a photo of some equipment just aft of the Sea Viper Launchers. I think I've seen something similar before, however wonder if any of you guys could tell me what it is...... survival equipment / decoys / storage / etc. The picture can be seen here http://www.flickr.com/photos/77383808@N08/...73009/lightbox/ Regards... Roger
February 26, 201214 yr Hi, Was at Portsmouth naval base this morning and got some close up looks at HMS Dauntless and Dragon, Lot of work going on around the main mast of Dauntless and I notice neither ship currenetly had Phalanx mounted. I guess this will happen just before deployment down South. As an aside I took a photo of some equipment just aft of the Sea Viper Launchers. I think I've seen something similar before, however wonder if any of you guys could tell me what it is...... survival equipment / decoys / storage / etc. The picture can be seen here http://www.flickr.com/photos/77383808@N08/...73009/lightbox/ Regards... Roger Torpedoes?
February 26, 201214 yr Author Hi, Was at Portsmouth naval base this morning and got some close up looks at HMS Dauntless and Dragon, Lot of work going on around the main mast of Dauntless and I notice neither ship currenetly had Phalanx mounted. I guess this will happen just before deployment down South. As an aside I took a photo of some equipment just aft of the Sea Viper Launchers. I think I've seen something similar before, however wonder if any of you guys could tell me what it is...... survival equipment / decoys / storage / etc. The picture can be seen here http://www.flickr.com/photos/77383808@N08/...73009/lightbox/ Regards... Roger Torpedoes? Having done a bit of research I now think this is the DLF 'Rubber Duck' Inflatable Decoy. The UK Royal Navy has begun to fit its frigates and destroyers with a new rapid-response floating passive radio-frequency (RF) decoy manufactured by Irvin Aerospace (part of Hunting Engineering). Employment applications include `soft kill' seduction as well as distraction and confusion. Known as the Advanced Inflatable Radar Decoy, or Outfit DLF(3), the new system has been developed as a successor to Irvin's earlier Outfit DLF(2) `Rubber Duck' floating corner reflector. In comparison with the earlier system, DLF(3) inflates to its full size more rapidly and produces a much larger radar cross-section. In operation, the decoy is launched close to the ship to be defended. Ejected from its launch tube by compressed air (released from an attached gas cylinder), the decoy's internal gas system is activated by a lanyard. The structure inflates to support an array of corner reflectors made from radar-reflectant net. Another lanyard attaches the structure to the ship until it is fully inflated. After a short delay, line cutters sever the tether, allowing the decoy to float freely along the side of the ship. An automatic mechanical cutter is used to deflate the decoy several hours afterwards. Janes Navy International As Dauntless gets closer to deployment to the South Atlantic will keep an eye out for any interesting additions. Roger
February 26, 201214 yr Having done a bit of research I now think this is the DLF 'Rubber Duck' Inflatable Decoy. Yup, you've managed to answer your own question. The DLF(3) 'Rubber Duck' launchers are 1.14 m long canisters typically mounted in pairs on either beam. Here's a pic of an angled pair on the Type 23 frigate St. Alban's:
February 26, 201214 yr Author Having done a bit of research I now think this is the DLF 'Rubber Duck' Inflatable Decoy. Yup, you've managed to answer your own question. The DLF(3) 'Rubber Duck' launchers are 1.14 m long canisters typically mounted in pairs on either beam. Here's a pic of an angled pair on the Type 23 frigate St. Alban's: Thanks for the confirmation Looks like they are slowly but surely adding some of the missing capability. I continue to secretly hope that I may see some of the Harpoon launchers that used to be on the type 22/3's make an appearance, however considering how many Type 23's I see going in and out of port with Harpoon removed looks like SSM capability does not appear to be an RN requirement anymore. A reliance on SSNs or helo mounted ASMs for ship killing. All the best Roger
February 26, 201214 yr I recently saw a pic of a pair of Phalanx CIWS mounted on either beam of HMS Daring, but it seems this isn't consistent among her sisters. Another case of "fitted for, but not with", perhaps?
February 27, 201214 yr Author I recently saw a pic of a pair of Phalanx CIWS mounted on either beam of HMS Daring, but it seems this isn't consistent among her sisters. Another case of "fitted for, but not with", perhaps? Here is another picture of the work ongoing on Dauntless. Scaffolding on Main Mast and Stack, possibly wiring up various Sensors/ECM etc. (or maybe just a lick of paint) http://www.flickr.com/photos/77383808@N08/...tream/lightbox/
February 27, 201214 yr Author I recently saw a pic of a pair of Phalanx CIWS mounted on either beam of HMS Daring, but it seems this isn't consistent among her sisters. Another case of "fitted for, but not with", perhaps? Yes Daring has deployed to the Gulf with Phalanx fitted.....I suppose Silkworm Ally is considered a high threat location. I fully expect Dauntless to go South with Phalanx fitted... last ditch in case Sea Viper does not behave.
February 27, 201214 yr Yes Daring has deployed to the Gulf with Phalanx fitted.....I suppose Silkworm Ally is considered a high threat location. Ah, yes, makes sense. But really annoying for the DB authors among us.
Create an account or sign in to comment