[Jeff Head]

Well, they already have two in the water...launched...and a third slated for launching later this year. The fourth is well under construction and the fifth will start later this year.

Unfortunately, they are trying to make up for the budget issues (which are rediculous IMHO and represent your typical liberal/socilaist mentality cutting funding for essential defense), by short changing the weapons and sensor fit on the first vessels. There will be no anti-surface capability at all outside of the 114mm gun, and they are not going to install the major sonar systems, relying on the single embarked helo as I understand it.

DARING TYPE 45 DDG

This will severelly limit their operational capability in any multi-role/threat environment until those systems (which the vessel is designed for) are fully installed and operational.

[Stoat]

Although this is not a 'technical' article per se, I thought that you might enjoy reading it because it's a touching Memorial Day story that involves an AEGIS cruiser and her Captain...

Knowing that we have fine ships like these, and fine crews aboard them help me to sleep well at night   :-)

Bond of the Sea
The U.S. Navy has always faced unexpected threats.

OpinionJournal - Global View

(I'm not posting the text because Free Republic has always required draconian editing of WSJ articles.  Hopefully the link will be permanent.)

[Rb ver. 2.0]

“they are not going to install the major sonar systems, relying on the single embarked helo as I understand it.”

In bad weather when the helo can’t fly the ship will be blind to submarine threat?