Type 24 Eclipse Class Frigate
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/iZefRiX.png)
HMS Eclipse, 1991
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/5INMzhz.png)
HMS Eclipse, 2019
As a growing oil and gas producing nation during the 1970s the need to patrol and protect the North Sea oilfields saw the need for more vessels. As well as the OPV fleet, a small light patrol frigate was desired. At the same time the Towed Array Ship was steadily growing into the specialised Type 23 Duke when the Leanders were coming to retirement age and costs were a concern. Yarrow was asked to design a cheap frigate and the Type 24 was the result. Lacking the expensive powerplant and electronic features of the Duke the costs were kept down. An eye was also kept on export orders. The machinery fit was half that of a Type 23 with emphasis on lower speed and good endurance. and a batch of 6 were ordered alongside 16 Dukes to form a modern fleet of 14 frigates to replace the last of the Leanders and serve alongside the Type 21s and Type 22s.
The littoral mission was handled by the Type 24 class which were updated during the 2010s with Artisan radar and received CAMM SAMs and Spear land-attack missiles replacing Sea Wolf and updated cannon and self-defence dispensers.
HMS Eclipse F82 June 1991
HMS Express F83 July 1991
HMS Electra F84 May 1994
HMS Encounter F85 August 1993
HMS Endeavour F86 November 1994
HMS Emerald F87 July 1994
Dimensions
Length: 351ft (oa)
Beam: 42ft 6in
Draught: 13ft 6in
Displacement
2,500 tons standard
Powerplant
One 26,150shp RR Spey SM1C gas turbine and two 3,500hp Paxman Ventura diesels
30kts on both, 15kts on diesels
Endurance 7,000nm at 15kts
Armament
1x 76mm OTO, fire-control by Sea Archer (note: also fitted to the Type 23 in this AU)
2x1 30mm LS-30
2x4 Harpoon SSM, acquired for the Type 23 as a lighter SSM, they were also fitted to the Type 24.
1x24 GW25 Confessor Sea Wolf VLS system, fire-control by one Type 911
2x2 12.75in lightweight A/S torpedo tubes (Mk.44/Mk/46 torpedoes)
1x Westland Westland Lynx helicopter
Radars & Sonars
One Type 996 air/surface 3D search, one Type 1007 navigation, one Type 911 FCR, one Type 2050 active bow sonar, Marconi UAG ESM, two Type 675 anti-targeting jammers, CAAIS-2 combat control system.
