Salisbury class frigate

British frigate HMS Lincoln (F99) underway in 1972. It is one of seven Salisbury-class air direction frigates.

The Salisbury-class (also referred to as the Type 61 Frigate) were a class of seven British aircraft direction (AD) (or RDF picket) frigates built for the Royal Navy.

These ships were related to the Leopard-class frigates, but with reduced armament (one twin 4.5 inch mount vice two) to make way for more aircraft direction equipment, particularly the four-ton RDF antenna of the Type 965 (AKE-2). Unlike the modernized Battle-class destroyers, the primary role of the Type 61 was not operations with fast carrier groups, for which their diesel power plant lacked the speed. The role of the Type 61 was as a seaworthy air ocean surveillance ship and air control ship to escort slow task forces, such as amphibious task forces. By the end of 1978 all had been relegated to non-combat roles, with one sold to Ukraine, four sold to the Philippines and two to Egypt.

The primary aircraft direction equipment fitted to the Type 61s was initially Type 960 (rapidly updated to Type 965 (AKE-2)) RDF for aircraft warning and Type 982M RDF for a degree of 3D cover and better air control over land. The Type 965 (AKE-2) had a large "double bedstead" antenna and the Type 982M RDF had a smaller "hayrake" antenna.

Unit Run

• HMS Salisbury (F32) - sold to Egypt, renamed Rasheed (F966)
• HMS Coventry (F46) - sold to Philippines, renamed BRP Diego Silang
• HMS Chicester (F59) - sold to Philippines, renamed BRP Francisco Dagohoy
• HMS Gloucester (F60) - sold to Philippines, renamed BRP Gregorio del Pilar
• HMS Llandaff (F61) - sold to Ukraine, renamed Otaman Bilyi (U132)
• HMS Exeter (F80) - sold to Philippines, renamed BRP Andres Bonifacio
• HMS Lincoln (F99) - sold to Egypt, renamed Damiyat (F961)