HMS Duncan (Type 45 Destroyer) begins sea trials.

Brand new Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan is escorted to begin her first sea trials off Scotland.

Duncan, the Royal Navy’s sixth and final powerful new Type 45 Destroyer, has put to sea for the first time (August 31) for trials where a blend of Royal Navy, Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems personnel will put her through her paces.

Following her departure from BAE System’s Scotstoun shipyard in Glasgow, Duncan quickly set about testing her speed and manoeuvrability, which will see the 7500-tonne destroyer taken to over 30 knots and turning very tight figure-of-eights.

Duncan will also spend four weeks at sea trialling her power and propulsion systems as well as her highly capable weapons systems. A second period of sea trials, set to take place later in the year, will test Duncan’s combat systems and sensors in order to ensure she joins the other Type 45s already commissioned and based in Portsmouth, in pristine condition next year.

Captain Henry Duffy, Captain Surface Ships, said:, This is a significant milestone in Duncan's programme. We wish her every success as we look forward to welcoming her to join the rest of her sister ships into the Portsmouth Flotilla next year.”

 There is something about this ship.  It just looks right.  And of course if it looks right more than likely it is right.