HMS Iron Duke Successfully Tested After Major Upgrade

The Royal Navy’s Frigate HMS Iron Duke has successfully completed its trails after undergoing a massive revamp, and two months of intensive Operational Sea Training off Plymouth to be followed later this year.

The ship spent all of 2012 and the first half of 2013 out of action undergoing a major modification.

In a series of tests, spread over a few days, the Type 23 frigate proved to be capable of operating helicopters.

The series of test Iron Duke endured included the entire ship reacting to a helicopter crashing on board, rescuing the aircrew and ensuring the frigate itself was safe: a damaged or burning helicopter on the back end of a warship is bad enough for the pilot and observer, but also for the 180-strong crew of a newly refurbished ship.

With the tests passed, Iron Duke has shifted the focus of its work-up from the Solent to Plymouth Sound and the Channel for the next two months.

The frigate is now in the hands of the Flag Officer Sea Training organisation, which prepares all RN and RFA warships for front-line duties by testing them in all areas of naval operations – from disaster relief to taking down pirates and all-out war with air, missile and submarine attacks.