HMS Iron Duke (F234)

History of HMS Iron Duke (F234)

The Royal Navy (RN) Type 23 guided missile frigate (FFG) was developed in the late Cold War (1947-1991), which was essentially a nuclear standoff and arms race between East and West (cited by the USSR and US respectively). The class consisted of sixteen ships, including the HMS Iron Duke (F234). The Iron Duke was ordered in July 1988, built by Yarrow Shipbuilders (Marconi Marine of Scotstoun), laid on 12 December 1988 and launched on 2 March 1991.

The ship was officially commissioned on May 20, 1993.

HMS Iron Duke serves in the Royal Navy's modern fleet. All planned 16 ships of this class have been completed and commissioned, with HMS Norfolk (F230) becoming her main ship. Three of the class (including the Norfolk) were later sold to the Chilean Navy, serving all new terms under local names. HMS Iron Duke is scheduled to retire sometime in 2025.

From 2021, the class will be replaced by the new Type 26 Global Combat Ship (GCS) currently under development.

The Type 23 frigate was used as the successor to the Type 22 series, which appeared in the 1960s and remained in service until the late 2000s (finally 14 ships). Although the Type 22 series play a role in their respective anti-submarine warfare (ASW) roles, they have proven costly to operate and maintain.

The newer ships will have a role in anti-submarine warfare and focus on deterring Soviet submarine incursions around the North Atlantic. They also benefited greatly from the Royal Navy's experience (successes and failures) in the South Pacific's Falklands War with Argentina.

In addition to the given anti-submarine role, the class will be deployed in general combat roles and support peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world. Today (2018), the class serves as a vital part of the RN's surface fleet, as well as its newer, more modern sibling in the Type 45 stealth frigate (detailed elsewhere on this page).

Like other modern naval frigates, the HMS Iron Duke was designed with a multi-mission approach, allowing her to engage in different mission types as needed. This requires a wide range of advanced processing systems and sensors, as well as dual-use weapons to meet future challenges.

This has resulted in warships being equipped with various deception systems, electronic warfare (EW) systems, and state-of-the-art communications and radar equipment.

As for weapons, the ship carries a 1 x 32-unit "Sea Wolf" GWS. The Series 26 Vertical Launch System (VLS) can launch the Seawolf surface-to-air missile system to a range of 10 km and provide an excellent deterrent/countermeasure against incoming airborne threats such as aircraft, helicopters, drones and cruise missiles. Carry 2 Harpoon Missile Quad Launchers for long-range surface threats.

2 x 324mm "Sting Ray" twin torpedo tubes were installed to deal with underwater enemy threats. Also carried more conventional weapons: 1 x 4.5" Mk 8 deck gun and turret (above forecastle), 2 x 30mm DS30M Mk 2 automatic cannons (or 2 x 30mm DS30B ACs), 2 x 7.62mm Gatling-style minigun and 4 x 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG).

Iron Duke's armament is not limited to ship's weapons, as the ship is fully equipped to carry a Westland Lynx (or similar) medium naval helicopter from the stern. The connected hangar can be maintained, repaired and replenished at sea.

There is a helicopter stationed in the hangar and, if necessary, a second vehicle can be transported directly to the tarmac.

These helicopters make up the ship's formidable Air Force branch, as they provide over-the-horizon viewing capabilities and are equipped with their own search, track and attack systems - primarily for hunting and suppressing enemy submarines and surface ships. Therefore, they can carry torpedoes and Skua anti-ship missiles.

Structural Iron Duke displaces 4,900 tonnes. She has a bow to stern length of 436.3 feet, a beam (width) of 52.9 feet and a draught of up to 23.8 feet. Power comes from a CODLAG ("Combined Diesel-Electric and Gas") arrangement with 2 Paxman Valenta 12CM diesel generators installed with 2 GEC electric motors producing a combined output of 4,000 shaft horsepower. 31,100 SHP developed in partnership with 2 x Rolls-Royce Spey SM1C units.

All of this drives two axles below the stern, giving the vessel a top speed of 28 knots and a range of up to 7,500 nautical miles. In this arrangement, the electricals are powered by diesel generators for general cruising, while gas turbines function (via a cross-link gear arrangement) for sprinting - the result is a more fuel-efficient warship.

There are around 185 crew members on board, although accommodation allows up to 205 people to be transported and supported at sea for several weeks. Her shape does look like a Cold War warship, as her design features many protrusions, traps, and vertical fairings.

Her mast is only partially closed, but her chimney is connected and looks unremarkable. Most of her layout unfolded from the stern of the bow deck guns to the stern helipad. The bridge is behind and above the 32-unit VLS unit on the forecastle.

Numerous measures have been introduced in the operation of the Duke-class, such as noise reduction, heat reduction and electromagnetic interference reduction - making them quieter than previous RN guided missile frigates.

Iron Duke's initial operations were in response to the Sierra Leone Civil War in 2000, when Duke served as a maritime deterrent and supported inland operations. The ship was then overhauled and returned to active service in mid-2002.

At the time it was stationed in Caribbean waters to combat active drug trafficking there. This was followed by a joint national exercise off the coast of Scotland.

After further anti-drug campaigns, drills and crew training, the Iron Duke continues to patrol the North Atlantic. Her first combat-oriented engagement finally came in 2011 when she supported rebel forces in Libya. Out of anger, their guns were first used in July.

An overhaul followed in March 2012 to keep the warship operational for the new decade. One of the most significant upgrades is the addition of BAe Systems' Artisan 3D Surveillance Radar suite. In June 2013, she returned to the game.

After a few stops, she took part in various exercises in the common country.

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