British Guided Missile Destroyers

The ships that fought on the frontline of the Falklands War, Britain's guided missile destroyers, are the only modern types ever to have been tested in real combat. In the years after World War II, new guided missile technology offered surface ships the chance to destroy airborne threats from afar, thereby preserving their role in naval warfare. This book examines the technology and combat performance of Britain's guided missile destroyers over half a century. Three of these classes have been tested in battle against the aircraft and missiles of another modern navy - in the Falklands War - as well as being deployed during the Gulf War. Written by an expert on British naval technology, this book assess the changing technology of the Royal Navy's destroyers over half a century, including an examination of the Royal Navy's newest and most capable warship, the Type 45.

Edward Hampshire is a historian at the Naval Historical Branch of the Ministry of Defence. He has lectured at the Joint Services Command and Staff College and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and worked for ten years at the United Kingdom National Archives. He has written on the Cold War at sea, British defence policy and intelligence history, and is currently researching British naval policy in the 1980s. His publications include From East of Suez to Eastern Atlantic, British Naval Policy 1964-70 and (co-authored) British Intelligence: Secrets, Spies and Sources.

Introduction: the maritime air threat and the defensive missile The County-class destroyers The Type 82 destroyer: HMS Bristol The Type 42: Sheffield-class destroyers The Type 45: Daring-class destroyers Operational Service Conclusion Bibliography Index