New Frigates for the Royal Navy - Type 26

[Corrupt]

Is Brazil involve in someway with the development of the Type 26?

I'm not sure, but they may or may not buy half a dozen (customised?) T26's.

No onboard ASW or VLS ASW weapons rumoured?

Stingray torpedos possibly?

[happyslapper]

The 'mission bay' sounds bigger than I had imagined:

Capable of conducting global deployments, GCS can span a wide range of warfare operations from high intensity conflict to humanitarian assistance.

Building on the battle proven pedigree of UK Royal Navy warships, GCS will take full advantage of modular design and open systems architecture to facilitate technology transfer and through-life support.

All variants will share a common acoustically quiet hull, with a plug and play design giving the ability to accommodate sub-systems to meet individual country needs. This includes combat systems, missile silos and a medium calibre gun.

A key feature is the ship’s flexible mission space, which can accommodate up to four 12 metre sea boats, a range of manned and unmanned air, surface or underwater vehicles or up to 11 20ft containers or ‘capability modules’.* This delivers improved Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting and Reconnaissance capability and ensures the ship is future-proofed against further technology developments.

Programme(s)

The UK programme to develop the Type 26 Global Combat Ship for the Royal Navy is underway.

A joint team of around 250 engineers from BAE Systems and UK Ministry of Defence is working to evaluate capability, availability, exportability and support options for the Type 26, in order to develop a detailed specification for the ship ready for manufacture.

The Type 26 will replace the capabilities of the UK’s Type 23 frigates, with the first set to enter service early in the next decade and the last remaining in service beyond the middle of the century.

As part of this process, the UK is committed to working with prospective international partners through a series of bilateral relationships to learn more about their requirements and ensure that they are met through GCS. Early partner nation engagement in the programme will provide opportunities to influence the core GCS warship design and to integrate systems specific to their individual requirements.

In September 2010, the UK formally invited Brazil to become the first such international partner. We are exploring further opportunities for cooperation with a select number of international partners.

Key Facts*

Displacement: approximately 5400 tonnes
Length: approximately 148 metres
Maximum beam: 19 metres
Top speed:* 28 knots +
Range: 7,000 miles at 15 knots
Endurance: 60 days
Crew size: 118
Embarked troops: 72

*Technical specification based on the reference design dated November 2011
*

http://www.baesystems.com/product/BA...%3D8xx2k11wl_4

[Halidon]

Hatches are cheap

Oh I know some people who'll argue that point with you more effectively than I, but granted cheaper than a hull stretch.

and in the case of the foredeck of this Type 26 design the only way to gain access to the under deck areas of the Phalanx and Sea Ceptor launchers. If you look at the rear of the foredeck there is an almost full width Mk 41 VLS. This means there will be no amidships corridor possible through to the forecastle of the ship. So the access corridors are like an Alreigh Burke class on each side of the ship. This explains the two outer hatches. The other three hatches are to gain access to each of the rooms for the Sea Ceptors (x2) and the Phalanx.

you sure about that? I grant you the centerline hatch appears to be access to the CIWS mount, but I only see one other hatch (for 4 total) and I don't think side access to the Sea Ceptor modules is the intended purpose.

[Genotype]

Stingray torpedos possibly?

I think Stingray or RUM-139C VL-ASROC (if they don't want to mount additional launchers) is an absolute necessity. No point having what's going to be the RN's principal ASW ship defenceless if the helicopter isn't operational or called away.

[Magnificent]

No point having what's going to be the RN's principal ASW ship defenceless if the helicopter isn't operational or called away.

Or if sea states are too high for deployment of towed sonar or helicopter. I would have thought that some sort of onboard system was essential for an ASW-optimized ship, and in the absence of this system on other vessels in the fleet. I wonder if the VLS silos are going to have some sort of ASW capability?

[Abraham Gubler]

you sure about that? I grant you the centerline hatch appears to be access to the CIWS mount, but I only see one other hatch (for 4 total) and I don't think side access to the Sea Ceptor modules is the intended purpose.

There's another 'hatch' on the starboard side but the graphic artist has drawn in a locker door rather a hatch. These openings may not be for access to the Sea Ceptor modules but they will open into their rooms. The excess space in these rooms could be used for boson's stores and so on requiring ready access. At this stage in the design a lot of the external features are not determined but significant things like bulkheads and the like are so the graphic artist finishes off the details. Like the anchor that will knock off the bow sonar and the 12.7mm HMGs on the bridge wings.

[Liger30]

The mission bay has definitely been moved up into the superstructure and is now adjacent to the hangar, proving possibly a nearly uninterrupted space well into the superstructure. I wrote an article on my blog with the latest available news. Follow the links in it to see other reports i wrote on weapons and other aspects of the ship.

http://ukarmedforcescommentary.blogs...kes-shape.html

As for ASW and ASuW weapons, it is possible (i don't know for sure) that the core defence budget allocation for complex weapons (several billions) includes the much awaited, constantly delayed new missile for the Royal Navy to replace Harpoon with. Little is known of the requirements, but the RN wants at least 200 km of range and land-attack capability built in the new anti-ship missile, that must be vertically launched. (and that would also explain the 24 VLS cells - will they be Sylver A70 or MK41 "Strike"? Not clear at the moment)
An ASuW variant (probably the missile's booster mated to a Stingray torpedo, i'd guess, ASROC and MILAS-style) is a possibility and rumored to be required, but it'll be the first requirement that'll be sacrificed is the budget proves tight...

I think stingray torpedo tubes are part of the Type 26 design, anyway.

[AustinJ]

Type 26 design looks good quite robust , How many will be procured by RN

[muttbutt]

Type 26 design looks good quite robust , How many will be procured by RN

They are looking at 13.....fingers crossed and then re crossed.

[Andy-M]

some more news;

UK confirms green light for next phase of Type 26 programme

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed main gate 1 (MG1) approval for the Royal Navy's Type 26 Global Combat Ship (GCS) programme, giving the go-ahead for an 18-month detailed design phase leading to a planned MG2 decision for demonstration and manufacture......

http://www.janes.com/products/janes/...hannel=defence

anyone subscibed to Janes so we can know what the rest says?

[Briani]

Is Brazil involve in someway with the development of the Type 26?

I think Brazil's been asked about joining the programme but there's been no news for quite a while about their decision.

Brazil is also interested in support ships and they're also talking to other countrys about supplying both types in one contract.So it could be a long time before we hear anything.

[Jdam1]

Are we putting the MK41 VLS into the type 26 I keep reading that it will have land attack missiles and I was under the impression (I could be wrong) that the Sylver couldn’t launch such a thing?

Also do you think the MK41 would make it more attractive to other country’s ?

[happyslapper]

Are we putting the MK41 VLS into thetype 26 I keep reading that it will have land attack missiles and Iwas under the impression (I could be wrong) that the Sylver couldn’tlaunch such a thing?

Also do you think the MK41 would make itmore attractive to other country’s ?

The renderings (basic as they are) point towards Sylver. It has distinctive differences in the gas exhaust compared to Mk41.

There's already a certain amount of investment gone into SCALP-N, which is designed to fit A70. You can bet your bottom dollar that there will be a big push for integration of Harpoon replacement (the latest version is already VLS capable, albeit not from a Sylver yet) and other strike missiles.

I'd be very surprised if Mk41 wasn't listed as an export option.

[happyslapper]

Along those same lines:
(note that this is specific to RN Type 26, and not the GCS as a whole. The lack of pre-contracted equipment leaves options wide open for potential foreign navies)

Process Begins to Equip Royal Navy’s Type 26 Frigate

LONDON — A nod of approval by the British Ministry of Defence of the baseline design for the Royal Navy’s next generation of frigates has triggered the start of a series of competitions to equip the warship. Prime contractor BAE Systems said it has already gotten the process underway by inviting companies to bid for the propulsion system.


BAE Program Director Geoff Searle said the company has begun issuing invitations to tender (ITT) to potential suppliers on the Type 26 frigate program, most significantly in the propulsion sector.


The Royal Navy is planning to purchase 13 Type 26s to replace the in-service Type 23 anti-submarine warfare vessel.


The MoD announced Aug 20 that the baseline design and capabilities of the multi-mission warship, due in service after 2020, had been endorsed. That enabled the shipbuilder to move on to defining the detailed specifications of the vessel.


The schedule includes an MoD decision on a development and manufacturing phase by early 2014, with construction work on the first vessel expected to get underway by early 2016.


The design was approved in April, but the MoD has only just announced the decision.


“Now we have agreed with MoD on the overall capability, we have just started the process of engaging the supply chain. We have issued the first few invitations to tender, predominantly in the propulsion area,” Searle said.


The executive said the propulsion ITTs covered gas turbine, diesel engine, gearbox and electric motor systems.


“We intend to downselect the suppliers of the main elements around the end of this year or early next year,” Searle said.


BAE declined to name the companies sent bid invitations.


Local supplier Rolls-Royce said it received the tender documents.


“We can confirm that we have received the ITTs for the major items of propulsion equipment covered and will be responding ahead of the next design gate,” a spokesman said.


The British-based company is a longtime supplier to the Royal Navy of maritime equipment, including gas turbines.


It strengthened its hand in the maritime diesels sector last year when, along with partner Daimler, it purchased German manufacturer Tognum.


R-R is the gas-turbine supplier on the Royal Navy’s two latest warship programs; building two aircraft carriers and six Type 45 anti-air destroyers.


The MT30 gas turbine being supplied for the Queen Elizabeth carrier program recently secured its first frigate contract in a deal with the South Korean Navy.


Earlier this year, the company completed a repackaging effort on the MT30 to enable it to fit into the confined space of a frigate.


Finland’s Wartsila was the diesel engine provider for both Royal Navy vessel types.


General Electric Aviation is also expected to respond in the gas turbine and electric motor elements of the requirement.


The U.S. company recently acquired French-based electric motor supplier Converteam, which provided the electric drive elements of the carrier and Type 45s.


Searle said the baseline design includes a propulsion configuration involving four main diesel generators driving two electric motors, one on each shaft, for lower speed requirements, and a single gas turbine generator driving both shafts through a split gearbox on higher speed requirements.


Some of the key systems for the warship have already been decided without competition.


Principal among these is the Sea Ceptor vertical launch air defense system being developed by MBDA and BAE’s Artisan 3D search radar.


Some of the systems will be incorporated into an upcoming Type 23 capability sustainment program and derisked ahead of being used on the new frigate.


“There is an intention to use proven systems and equipment. So the Type 26 will benefit from the Type 23 sustainment program,” Searle said.


“We are also looking at something similar on the combat management system where we have a new system called a shared computing environment, which a number of the software packages that make up the whole combat management system sit on,” he said.


The BAE executive said some of the systems inherited from the updated Type 23 could be cross decked to the Type 26 as the old vessels are decommissioned.


The warship is predominantly an anti-submarine but with general purpose capabilities. The baseline design of the Type 26 will see the frigate weigh in at around 5,400 tons and have a length of around 148 meters.


Vertical missile silos will be able to carry a range of weapons, including surface-to-surface and surface-to-land missiles, and the ship will carry a medium-caliber gun.


One of the key features of the design is a mission bay adjoining the helicopter hanger capable of carrying a large range of payloads. These could be additional boats for special forces, containers for disaster relief or unmanned air, surface or underwater vehicles, Searle said.


The Type 26 will form the spine of a Royal Navy frigate/destroyer fleet that numbers just 19 vessels. Six of those will be Type 45s and the remainder, Type 26s.


The British have so far failed to attract an overseas partner to the program, known in its export guise as the Global Combat Ship, despite having had talks with navies across four continents about joining the program at an early stage.


Searle said international interest in the program remains high, but that will likely only firm up once potential buyers can see the flexibility of the final design.

http://www.defensenews.com/article/2...text|FRONTPAGE

[Magnificent]

The invitation to tender for propulsion components is a significant step forward. I wonder when we will see a formal announcement as to the choice of main gun, which is rumoured to be the Oto Melara 127mm. If this is indeed the choice, I wonder if we will hear of a decision to retrofit it to the six destroyers in order to standardize ammunition and parts supply, training, etc.