Bristol

BRISTOL Class (Type 82)

 air defence destroyer
Originally intended as a class of four, to escort the new CVA-01 class of carriers, the other three were cancelled before being laid down when the new carriers were cancelled. BRISTOL was therefore used principally as a trials platform for new weapons systems. Although essentially repeating the COSAG powerplant that went to sea previously in the COUNTY class destroyers and TRIBAL class frigates, new gas turbines were used. A total of three new weapons systems went to sea for the first time in RN service on BRISTOL - a new 4.5" gun, the Sea Dart missile system (which would later be put on Type 42 destroyers and the new INVINCIBLE class carriers), and the Anglo-Australian Ikara anti-submarine missile system. Also included was the new ADAWS-2 (Action Data Automation Weapons System Mk.2), a sophisticated digital system that coordinated the ship's weapons and sensors. BRISTOL also carried a capable command and control suite, enabling her to act as a flagship.

BRISTOL Class
Specifications
Displacement:
 7,700 tons full load
Dimensions:
 154.3 x 16.8 x 6.8 meters (507 x 55 x 22.5 feet)
Propulsion:
 2 shafts, COSAG;
Standard Range geared steam turbines, 2 Babcock and Wilcox boilers, 30,000 shp;
2 Olympus TM1A gas turbines, 44,000 shp,
30 knots
Crew:
 433


Aviation

Helicopters:
 Deck for 1 light helicopter

Surface Action

Guns:
 1 - 4"/55 Mk.8 DP Vickers mount
Radar:
 Type 992 surface / low-level air search
Type 978 navigation
Type 1006 navigation


Air Defence

Guns:
 1 - 4"/55 Mk.8 DP Vickers mount
Missiles:
 1 Sea Dart GWS30 twin launcher SAM, 40 missiles
Radar:
 Type 965 AKE-2 long range air search  (replaced by Type 1022)
Type 992 surface / low-level air search
Fire Control:
 Type 909 (x2) Sea Dart tracker


Undersea Warfare

Armament:
 1 Ikara ASW missile system (32 missiles)
1 Mk.NC 10 Limbo 3-barreled ASW mortar
Sonar:
 Type 184 medium range search
Type 162 bottom search


Electronic Warfare

Attack:
ESM:
ComInt:


Ships:
 
Name
Pendant
Completed
Comments
Fate
BRISTOL
D 23
1973
 Engine room fire 1973, served in the Falklands.
Training ship, 1987.

Photos:

 (click on thumbnail for bigger image) 
 

Bristol
A forward port-quarter view of BRISTOL while alongside. The dome just forward of the bridge is covering the forward Type 909 Sea Dart tracking radar. The Type 965 AKE-2 double-bedstead radar is mounted on the mast just aft of the bridge. M.D. Thomas photo.
Bristol
Another port-quarter view, this time from aft. The aft dome for the Type 909 tracker radar can be seen, with the twin Sea Dart launcher at the head of the landing deck. A red dummy Sea Dart missile is mounted on the starboard launch rail. Note the twinned aft funnel. M.D. Thomas photo.
Bristol
Another view of the aft end of BRISTOL, and a good viewing angle on the Sea Dart launcher. M.D. Thomas photo.
Bristol
The bow of BRISTOL, with the then-new 4"/55 Mk.8 single mount gun forward, and the covering for the Ikara ASW missile system aft of the breakwater. M.D. Thomas photo.
Bristol
BRISTOL is laid up in this shot, with much of her equipment removed. Note the antenna for the Type 1022 radar, which replaced the double-bedstead antenna of the Type 965 AKE-2. M.D. Thomas photo.

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