The Royal Navy Discussions and Updates
- Thread starter overlander
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The RN Type 32 early concept phase has started. It appears that it may be a GP frigate.
The intention is for the Type 32 to go out to commercial competition once the RN has the operational concept and its requirements provisionally finalised. I say provisionally because the RN has the habit of changing its requirements mid build. There are also the usual minefields of SDRs, Pollies, elections, and MOD bureaucrats to navigate before the first vessel will kiss the water.
www.navalnews.com
"As part of its operational concept, the Type 32 will bring increased capability and presence at sea, in particular to support RN Littoral Response Groups (LRGs) and other overseas operational commitments. The Type 32 is also central in RN medium-term plans to grow its surface fleet.
The Type 32 programme was announced on 19 November 2020, when the UK revealed that a programme to build the next generation of RN warships would include the Type 32 as a third new frigate type (the other two being the in-build Type 26 City-class and Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates, which are replacing the 13 in-service Type 23 frigates)."
The intention is for the Type 32 to go out to commercial competition once the RN has the operational concept and its requirements provisionally finalised. I say provisionally because the RN has the habit of changing its requirements mid build. There are also the usual minefields of SDRs, Pollies, elections, and MOD bureaucrats to navigate before the first vessel will kiss the water.
Royal Navy builds operational concept for Type 32 frigate - Naval News
The UK Royal Navy (RN) is continuing to build the operational concept for its Type 32 class future frigate.
www.navalnews.com
FormerDirtDart
Well-Known Member
HMS Glasgow has started having her dressing gown removed
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FormerDirtDart
Well-Known Member
Went and found the original posting of the image, which includes additional revealing photosHMS Glasgow has started having her dressing gown removed
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RubiconNZ
The Wanderer
I think it's marvellous she comes with her very own Dalek. As I understand it they are nearly impervious to most weaponry.HMS Glasgow has started having her dressing gown removed
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It'll be good to get her in the water, there's some staff in the Dominion's who will be watching very closely I imagine.
FormerDirtDart
Well-Known Member
Sorry Spoz, no need for jacking up, the bow sonar dome will get fitted later on, after float off, once the ship is in dry dock. A standard procedure that I've seen on all the naval vessels I've worked on over the last 30 years.
What a very strange way to do business. I’ve worked on 5 destroyer/frigate programs and we have always fitted the dome before launch. Ah well, each to their own I suppose. I haven’t yet seen the design of the cradle for the Hunters so it will be interesting to see what they do, noting that they will be launched from the same ship lift as would have to take them out again, the nearest dry dock being 1,000 miles away.
John Newman
The Bunker Group
Spoz,
I know this is only an ‘animation’, but it is produced by BAE Systems Australia, it’s reasonably current, about five months old:
It shows the production process for the Hunter class, it also clearly shows the radar dome fitted to the hull prior to launch.
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
OldTex
Well-Known Member
In another much anticipated announcement, The Royal Navy will get 3 FSS ships built in Belfast to a BMT design. The team also includes Navantia, which is expected to upgrade the Harland & Wolff shipyard to modern standards. Construction of the FSS vessels is supposed to commence in 2025 with final delivery occurring in 2032. How hard and fast these dates are only time will tell.
Some interesting background to the Team Resolute offering for the FSS can be found on the Navy Lookout site, including these articles:
Spanish-led-partnership-reveal-details-of-their-fleet-solid-support-ship-proposal and
British-spanish-team-bid-to-build-the-fleet-solid-support-ship
Some interesting background to the Team Resolute offering for the FSS can be found on the Navy Lookout site, including these articles:
Spanish-led-partnership-reveal-details-of-their-fleet-solid-support-ship-proposal and
British-spanish-team-bid-to-build-the-fleet-solid-support-ship
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The issue with the sonar dome in the UK is that we have predominately 'launched' ships down slipways, with the weight of the ship resting on the keel / ground. Our facilities & infrastructure are geared up to fit the dome AFTER launching, as the sonar dome normally protrudes 10 to 20 feet below the keel.
In Australia, the ships have been predominately 'Floated off' from the synchrolift & with limited dry docking facilities close by, it makes sense that the sonar & dome are fitted pre 'launch'.
I curious about the announcement on the next five Type 26. I know there's politics and appearances involved but it seems to read like they were in doubt and there may only have been three all up.
When I first read it I thought they were saying they had increased the program back to 13 ships, before I realised it was just the announcement of the final five to reach eight.
It sounds as if they were seriously considering only three with the remaining numbers made up by postulated Type 32. i.e. a fleet of 6 Darlings, 3 Type 26, 5 Type 31 and 5 Type 32. Now it at least sounds like with 8 Type 26 ordered, that the Type 32 with claw back numbers slightly, assuming they proceed at all.
When I first read it I thought they were saying they had increased the program back to 13 ships, before I realised it was just the announcement of the final five to reach eight.
It sounds as if they were seriously considering only three with the remaining numbers made up by postulated Type 32. i.e. a fleet of 6 Darlings, 3 Type 26, 5 Type 31 and 5 Type 32. Now it at least sounds like with 8 Type 26 ordered, that the Type 32 with claw back numbers slightly, assuming they proceed at all.
Two large fleet carriers will need escorts.
Whatever the mix, I trust the RNs destroyer / frigate numbers do not decrease any further going forward.
Confirmation for 8 type 26 is good news.
Cheers s
It's Poms we are talking about so capabilities aren't confirmed until they are in the water, on the parade ground, or in the hangar.
They have been known to spontaneously withdraw capabilities, make the operators redundant and literally cut up the gear so their decision can't be reversed.
Musashi_kenshin
Well-Known Member
Not really sure the future of the Type 26 was in doubt. It was an issue of timescales, not cancellation. Leaving the number of hulls at three would have smashed the future of the Royal Navy as well as reset the plan for a drumbeat of production to keep skills in place.
As for capabilities, these are pretty much locked in with the contract being signed. The only question is strike capability with FC-ASW still being developed.
As for capabilities, these are pretty much locked in with the contract being signed. The only question is strike capability with FC-ASW still being developed.