South-West based Royal UK Navy warship, HMS Argyll is due to sail today on her latest deployment to the North Atlantic and Caribbean.
HMS Argyll’s captain, Commander Paul Hammond: said “As we sail from Plymouth we can reflect on nine months of hard work in preparation for this deployment in which my ship’s company have achieved fantastic results.
“Deploying on operations marks the beginning of another fresh challenge for Argyll that will see us deliver real benefit to both the Caribbean and the UK.”
HMS Argyll will be conducting a wide range of tasks when on patrol including engaging with UK territories and partners providing reassurance and support, providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief during the hurricane season and supporting the counter-narcotics efforts in the Caribbean.
The Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll and her Portsmouth-based sister ship HMS Iron Duke both deploy on the same day and are the first two frigates fitted with the new 997 Artisan radar to deploy on operations.
The Artisan radar is one of the world’s most advanced and installation on HMS Argyll and HMS Iron Duke is part of a £100m programme to replace the radar of a number of ships. Artisan could also be the main air radar of the Type 26 combat ship, successor to the class Type 23 ships in the next decade or so.
The radar is extremely capable and can spot something as small as a cricket or tennis ball travelling at three times the speed of sound more than 25 kilometres or 15 miles away.
[mappress] Press Release, June 20, 2014; Image: UK Navy