[quote]In an "intensive attack" a single Type 45 could simultaneously track, engage and destroy more targets than five Type 42 destroyers operating together The Type 45 design uses the Principal Anti-Air Missile System, now known in Royal Navy service as Sea Viper. It is a joint British, French and Italian design. PAAMS consists of a SAMPSON fire control and tracking radar, MBDA Aster 15 and 30 missile systems and a 48-cell SYLVER vertical missile launcher, giving both short-range and long-range anti-air capability. The PAAMS system is able to control and coordinate several missiles in the air at once, allowing several tracks to be intercepted. The SYLVER VLS missile launcher can be upgraded to accommodate other weapons if necessary. The Daring class have often been considered to be the most powerful air-defence warships in the world.[24] It has been suggested that the SAMPSON radar is capable of tracking an object the size of a cricket ball travelling at three times the speed of sound.[25] Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope has talked of the RN's pride in a Type 45 being asked to switch off PAAMS because it was "constraining the training" in exercises with US forces[/quote] And there are 6 of these ships which means they have the fire power of 30 Type-42's. Aircraft would not stand a chance with these 6 ships around in a battle group.

From all I have seen, the Type 45 is really an attempt at an air defense ship, mostly concentrating on an anti-missile role. But they have rather small ammunition bunkers (48 missiles as opposed to the Arleigh Burke's 96+ missiles). Plus it has nothing to compare with the new RIM-174 with it's 240 km range. The best chance I see would be to have aircraft make attack runs at extreme range, then when the ship fires at them immediately turn tail and run. Rinse and repeat until all the long range missiles are gone. Then you can much more safely approach to beyond the 30 km range of the Aster 15 and let go with impunity.

So your telling me that the ship is not the best AA ship in the world when everybody pretty much agrees and the US has nothing that can compete with it? Alright.