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Naval
Forces News - Royal Navy |
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| HMS
Sutherland (Type 23 frigate) in gunnery exercises off Gibraltar |
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HMS
Sutherland has stopped off at Gibraltar to take part in a series of
gunnery exercises as she begins her six-month deployment. The Rock was
the first port of call for the Devonport frigate as she makes her way
towards the Indian Ocean to take over from HMS Westminster on a counter-terrorism/counter-piracy
patrol.
The exercise began with the 30mm cannon set to automatic. The gun can
fire up to 200 rounds a minute; a shell leaves the muzzle travelling
at around 3,500 feet (3,840km) per second - 2,386mph (3,840km/h) - three
times the speed of sound - which means it reaches its maximum range
three miles (5km) from the Type 23 frigate in under five seconds. |
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A sailor
onboard HMS Sutherland conducts live firing off Gibraltar
[Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Ben Sutton, Crown Copyright/MOD
2012]
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The live
firing was part of a series of naval gunfire support exercises with
the Army's 148 Battery Royal Artillery as specialist observers, who
also help direct the guns of the Royal Navy in time of conflict; as
they did with HMS Sutherland off Libya 12 months ago.
The main 4.5-inch (114mm) gun was also fired up, with shells travelling
a little slower, at 2,500 feet (2,743km/h) per second - 1,705mph, or
twice the speed of sound, but with greater range (about 12 miles [19km])
and packing much more of a punch. |
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HMS Sutherland's
30mm gun during the live firing exercise off Gibraltar
[Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Ben Sutton, Crown Copyright/MOD
2012]
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The exercise
allowed the 200-strong ship's company to build on the two intensive
spells of training they completed off the South Coast of England, under
the wings of the Flag Officer Sea Training organisation in Plymouth,
during the past six months.
Once alongside in Gibraltar itself, some of the more active sailors
ran the famous Rock Race - run 2.7 miles (4.3km) from the ship to the
top of the Rock, climb 1,300 feet (396m), and avoid the resident apes.
One member of Sutherland's Royal Marines detachment decided it
would be a challenge to complete the race running backwards (he reached
the top in under one hour), and a couple of shipmates both lugged a
heavy bag all the way to the top. |
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HMS Sutherland
conducts a live firing exercise with the ship's main gun off Gibraltar
[Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Ben Sutton, Crown Copyright/MOD
2012]
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To
give military and civilian staff at Commander British Forces Headquarters
an insight into life aboard a Type 23 frigate, Sutherland offered the
opportunity for them to join the ship at sea.
Commander Al Wilson, HMS Sutherland's Commanding Officer, said:
"Gibraltar is an iconic visit for sailors of the Royal Navy
and always keenly anticipated.
"My ship's company enjoyed the wide variety of sporting and social
activity that Gibraltar has to offer, as well as utilising the time
to consolidate mission-focussed training ready for operations."
Source: British MOD |
