ARTISAN DUKE – the Type 23 Frigate IRON DUKE has emerged from refit fitted with the new ARTISAN 3D Medium Range Radar (Type 997) which replaces the Type 996.   The IRON DUKE is acting as the trials vessel for this new radar which will be fitted to the new Aircraft Carriers, the three Amphibious capital ships (OCEAN, ALBION and BULWARK) and the Frigate Force – the Type 23’s and the Type 26’s when (and if) built.

43 Commando Fleet Protection Group RM Has Boats – two former MoD Police Launches, the MULL and RONA are now in military green having been adapted (at an Anglesey shipyard) for Patrol Duty on the Clyde specifically the Gare Loch and Loch Long.    Previously they have used the open Offshore Raiding Craft of what can be 15 hour patrols ensuring the safety of the submarines at Faslane and their infrastructure.

DARING Off to the Pacific – as part of the trials for the new possible Ballistic Missile Defence role for the Type 45 Destroyers, the DARING is being sent into the Pacific during the Third Quarter of 2013 for exercises.     The Joint Industry/MoD UK Missile Defence Centre has been working with the US Missile Defence Agency who will be conducting these trials.    The UK contribution is based on the SAMPSON Radar fitted on the Type 45 Destroyers which was developed/trials by BAe at its Cowes facility.

Cheshire CHARGER – the Fast Patrol Boat CHARGER a University Training Unit vessel (Liverpool and Lancaster) has visited Northwich 20 miles inland in Cheshire.    The vessel spent a weekend on this unusual voyage     Starting on a Saturday morning by proceeding first up the Manchester Ship Canal, then on to the River Weaver and transiting the Dutton and Saltersford Locks, as well as sail beneath the Sutton Weaver, Acton and Winnington Swing Bridges, arriving in Northwich for lunch.

BULWARK Dunelm – The Fleet Flagship, the Assault Ship BULWARK has visited North Shields, the closest point such as ship can get to its affiliated city of Durham.     Having just finished a period of intensive training, and participating in the Joint Warrior Exercise the next port of call will be Rotterdam to mark the 40th Anniversary of the UK and Royal Netherlands Navy Amphibious Force, and then on to Liverpool to participate in the commemorations of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.

DRAGON Testing – the Type 45 Destroyer DIAMOND has been undertaking target practice in the Gulf to test the state of the art equipment, much of which is fully automated but sometimes they may not be available and the crew have to revert to doing things manually.     Launching an indestructible 1m cube of polystyrene it was up to the ships Royal Marine Boarding Party to conduct small arms and sea boat mounted firing.    Unlike other, more conventional targets the Cube can be used again and again and, in the process of recovering the Cube it allows the DRAGON’s bridge team the opportunity to practice their handling skills.    The 30mm cannon were put through their paces.    Normally this gun system is radar or laser guided, and used with pin point accuracy against air or surface contacts.

The London Commemoration of the Battle of the Atlantic – three warships are coming to London to mark the 70^th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.   The last Type 42 Destroyer EDINBURGH, as part of a farewell tour of the UK will berth alongside the Cruiser BELFAST in the Pool of London.   The Helicopter Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS fresh from Exercise Joint Warrior will moor up at Greenwich whilst the Sandown Class Minecountermeasure Vessel BLYTH will berth alongside Royal Naval Reserve Unit HMS PRESIDENT at St Katherine’s Dock.    The Helicopter Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS has of course has a formal affiliation with the City of London.