CONFIDENTIAL
3RD DRAFT
b.
C.
and an underwater research vessel are planned to enter
service this year. Another three Bird Clase patrol
craft and two fleet replenishment ships are under
construction.
Helicopters
(i) Sea Kings
HMS Hermes now carries a squadron of anti-submarine
Sea Kings in addition to a Wessex Naval Air Command o
squadron.
(ii) Wasps
The number of Wasps deployed at sea will increase
Type 42 destroyers and Type 21 frigates, the
latest ships equipped to operate them, enter service.
as
Equipment
(1)
Seadart
Seadart, a ship-launched medium-range surface-to-
air guided-missile system for area air defence, has been
installed in HMS Bristol and HMS Sheffield. Seadart will
be fitted in all Type 42 destroyers and in the new anti-
submarine cruisers.
(ii) Tigerfish
The Mark 24, submarine-launched advanced wire-
guided acoustic homing torpedo, Tigerfish, entered service
last year.
It is faster and has a longer range than its
predecessor. hefits of both nuclear and conventionally
powered submarines will enable them to use Tigerfish.
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CONFIDENT JAL