HMS Daring sets sail for trials

The vessel, described as a new generation of warship, is to start 18 months of sea trials before being put into service in 2009.

It will set sail from the BAE Systems shipyard on the Clyde at Scotstoun.

The managing director of BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions said building the Type 45 ships had presented new challenges for the shipyard.

Vic Emery said: "There are so many firsts on this ship, right through to the habitability of the crew, the accuracy of the weapons systems on board the ship.

"It's the first time that a front-line warship is propelled by electricity. We generate enough power in this ship to power the whole of the Shetland Islands."

HMS Daring is the biggest warship ever to launch at the Scotstoun shipyard in Glasgow and is the first of the Royal Navy's D-class of ships.

The vessel had a Royal launch, with Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex as her sponsor, in February 2006.

The Type 45s will replace the Navy's ageing fleet of Type 42 destroyers, such as HMS Glasgow.

HMS Daring's sea trials will include firing its weapons on a military range on Benbecula in the Western Isles.

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