BAE-built destroyer heads to home port

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LONDON, March 20 (UPI) -- The sixth and final Type 45 air defense destroyer built by Bae Systems UK is on its way for handover to Britain's Royal Navy.

The Type 45, or Daring class, destroyers are replacing Type 42 destroyers, the last of which is scheduled to be decommissioned this year.

The new air defense ship, the DUNCAN is 500 feet in length and displaces 8,818 tons. It has a range of 7.000 nautical miles at 18 knots and carries a range of guns and missiles.

The Duncan, built in Scotland, is on its way to Portsmouth, its new home port and will be commissioned later this year.

"Duncan is an outstanding vessel and we are all extremely proud to see her begin her delivery voyage to Portsmouth," Jennifer Osbaldestin, Type 45 program director at BAE Systems. "After a very successful build period she will now become the newest asset in the fleet."

Under its contract with the Ministry of Defense, BAE Systems will provide in-service support to all Type 45 destroyers.