From Sea Wolf to Sea Ceptor – the Royal Navy’s defensive shield
In this article, we look at the Sea Wolf missile, and its successor, Sea Ceptor which was formally accepted into RN service in 2018.
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Type 26 Frigate
Closure of GE Rugby electric motor plant threatens supply of Royal Navy propulsion systems
In November 2018 GE announced it plans to close its Power Conversion plant in Rugby and move operations to France by the end of 2019. What may appear to be just another industrial rationalisation by a multi-national corporation has potentially very serious implications for the Royal Navy and is a situation that demands government intervention.
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The Type 26 frigate mission bay. Part 2 – configuration and contents
In the previous article we considered the design and development of the Type 26 frigate mission bay. Here we take a more speculative look at how this flexible space could be used.
The Type 26 frigate mission bay. Part 1 – design and development
The Type 26 frigates being built for the RN have been designed from the outset with a mission bay. In the first part of a 2-part article, we examine the design, layout and implications of this flexible space.
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MTLS and ASROC – killing the submarine without a helicopter
Detecting and destroying submarines will always be a demanding task. By far the best solution for surface ships to destroy enemy submarines is using a helicopter but aircraft cannot fly in all weathers and must undergo maintenance. Warships hunting submarines need every possible tool at their disposal and here we look at what the options are when the helicopter is unavailable.
Progress on extending the life of the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates
In June 2018, we reported on how the Type 23 frigates are receiving engine upgrades and life extension refits. Here we review the state of the frigate fleet and progress on their refits.
Building HMS Glasgow – the first Type 26 Frigate
It’s early days in the construction of the first ‘city class’ Type 26 frigate, HMS Glasgow. Here we take an overview of her manufacture and the Clyde shipyards where she is being built.
New techniques used in designing the Type 26 frigate
Significant investment in computer technology has been made to support the detailed design and production of the Type 26 frigate. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems have been in use for many years but Virtual Reality software is now core to the design process.More
Counting chickens before they hatch… 8th Type 26 Frigate to be named HMS London
Earlier this week our embattled Prime Minister, speaking at the Lord Mayor’s banquet in the capital announced the 8th and final Type 26 frigate will bear the name HMS London. The government may be desperate for some good news stories, but this is scraping the bottom of the PR barrel. The MoD is unable to say when she will be ordered or even approximately which year she will be in service. Projecting from the current glacial rate of construction, this ship could be at least 18 years away from joining the fleet.More