English: Portsmouth-based HMS Iron Duke returns to sea after a 16-month upgrade and now boasts one of the most advanced radars in the world (top).

The Type 23 frigate is the first Royal Navy ship to be fitted with 'Artisan' a 3D radar which is five times better than the old version it replaces.

She left the Naval Base today (Sunday) to begin an intensive few months of sea trials.

As part of a £100m programme Artisan will be fitted to all the Navy's 13 Type 23s as well as the two future aircraft carriers.

Artisan could also be the principal air radar of the Type 26 combat ship, successor to the 23s, which enter service next decade.

The radar boasts some impressive statistics. It can spot something as small as a cricket or tennis ball travelling at three times the speed of sound more than 25 kilometres (15 miles) away.

It's built out of the same lightweight carbon glass fibre materials found on a Formula 1 car and weighs just 700kg (1,540lb).

It can track up to 800 targets simultaneously if theyíre 200 metres from Iron Duke or 200 kilometres (125 miles) away.

Put another way Iron Duke could sit in her home base and simultaneously follow aircraft flying into Heathrow, Gatwick, Southampton, Stansted, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Birmingham airports.

On top of accuracy it's packed with anti-jamming features it isn't affected by interference from mobile phone signals and can pick out targets against a background of electronic noise and interference.

Iron Duke's upgrade carried out by BAE Systems in Portsmouth - also included work on her other weapons systems and combat computer. Improvements to her ventilation mean she is able to operate more efficiently in hot climates.

• Organization: ROYAL NAVY
• Object Name: FX130224011
• Category: MOD
• Supplemental Categories: Equipment, Ships, Frigates, Type 23
• Keywords: HMS Iron Duke, Type 23, Frigate, Radar, HMNB Portsmouth, Iron Duke, Artisan, Sensor, Royal Navy, Equipment, Ship, FFG, Duke Class, Tug
• Country: UK