Like the Type 22 frigates there were three batches of Type 42 destroyers. Batches 1 and 2 are almost identical, however, whereas the third Batch was an extended version.
Type 42, Batch 1 and 2
There are 4 Batch 1 Type 42 destroyers:
There are 4 Batch 2 Type 42 destroyers:
| Displacement | 3,560 Tonnes |
| Length | 125m |
| Beam | 14.6m |
| Crew | 266 |
| Armament | 114mm gun, Sea Dart SAM system. Phalanx CIWS, Anti-submarine torpedo tubes. Close-range guns. |
| Aircraft | Lynx helicopter |
Type 42, Batch 3
There are four Batch 3 Type 42 destroyers:
| Displacement | 3,880 Tonnes |
| Length | 139m |
| Beam | 15.2m |
| Crew | 269 |
| Armament | 114mm gun, Sea Dart SAM system. Phalanx CIWS, Anti-submarine torpedo tubes. Close-range guns. |
| Aircraft | Lynx helicopter |
The Type 42 destroyer is designed for air-defence. Now that the Invincible class aircraft carriers have had their Sea Dart systems removed, at least one Type 42 destroyer accompanies the Invincible class ships on operations. A similar system operates for HMS OCEAN which also has no dedicated air defence. Type 42s are capable of working either independently or in a group of destroyers. When the latter occurs they are usually providing air-defence to a task group.
The Type 42 class has proved incredibly successful although it is now quite old. The class is due to be replaced but extensive refits are keeping them operational. HMS EXETER has recently returned to the fleet after a fifteen-month refit which overhauled every department with particular focus on the command and weapons systems. The Sea Dart SAM remains its main offensive weapon and this has been substantially altered with a new GWS Automatic Targeting System provided. The command and control systems of the ship were also replaced with new processors, which help modernise the ships. It is expected that most of the remaining Type 42 destroyers will undergo similar refits over time.
HMS EDINBURGH was the penultimate Type 42 destroyer to enter service. She is one of the extended Batch 3 destroyers which increased stability and storage. One unique characteristic of HMS EDINBURGH which allows almost immediate recognition is that she has a "fence" around her bow. No other Type 42 destroyer has this characteristic.
The Type 42 destroyer is powered by Rolls Royce Olympus and Tyne turbine engines which allows fast acceleration and an impressive range. The Type 42 ships are also some of the most manoeuvrable ships in the fleet and are capable of very sharp turns even at high speed. Although the ships themselves carry the very-capable Sea Dart to tackle air threats, this remains a last measure. The Type 42s are fitted out to provide fleet information on air threats, and as such the majority of the time the Type 42s would be directing RN or RAF units towards any hostile aircraft.
Although tasked for air defence, the Type 42 destroyers are capable of operating against surface and submarine threats. The main offensive weapon here would be the Lynx helicopter it carries which is a formidable aircraft which carries potent weapons. In addition to this, the ships Sea Dart system is also capable of attacking surface vessels and at close range the 114mm gun can be used. Type 42s are occasionally called upon to perform this task when they become a Guardship (West Indies, Falklands, Caribbean etc.) One of the principal roles of the Caribbean Guardship today is anti-drug patrols. Royal Navy ships often work in parallel with the American Drug Enforcement Agency officers and have been responsible for the seizure of hundreds of millions of pounds worth of drugs in recent years. The Royal Navy is rapidly gaining a reputation for excellence in its anti-drug role and its ships are perfectly suited to this role.
The Type 42 destroyer was due to be replaced by a PROJECT HORIZON class early in the next century. However the project, perhaps unsurprisingly, collapsed and the Royal Navy is building its own vessels now to replace them. The Type 45 ships should enter service sometime around 2007 and will be a powerful new addition to the fleet. Until that time, however, the Type 42s have to struggle on. Although the class is now obviously showing its age, it remains useful to the service.
