Type 31 frigate passes whole ship critical design review
The Type 31 frigate design has reached an important milestone in ensuring it is ready before construction of the first ship can begin.
Type 31 Frigate
Real hope for a bigger Royal Navy – the Type 32 frigate concept
As part of the Integrated Review announcements on 19th November, the Type 32 frigate concept emerged blinking into the light of public gaze for the first time. In this speculative article, we consider the possible design of this vessel and when it may enter service.
Type 31 frigate project on schedule despite challenges of the pandemic
A year on from signing the contract with the MoD, today Babcock provided a media briefing, giving an overview of the industrial aspects of Type 31 frigate programme to date. Despite the impacts of COVID-19, the project is on schedule and the company remains optimistic about delivering the ships on time.
Rolls Royce MTU engines selected for the Type 31 frigate
Babcock announced this week that MTU has been selected to supply the main engines and generator sets for the Type 31 frigate.
Royal Navy combatants – fitted for, but not with anti-ship missiles
After some optimism last year that the RN would be able to at least partially replace its ageing Harpoon anti-ship missile system, recent statements in Parliament have cast doubt over whether this can be achieved.
Britain gets a new frigate factory
As part of their successful bid to build 5 Type 31 frigates for the RN, Babcock is constructing a new module hall to assemble the ships at their Rosyth yard. Here we examine the new facility and the implications of this investment.
Embracing TACTICOS – the Royal Navy’s new combat management system
The Thales TACTICOS Combat Management System (CMS) will be a critical aspect of the Type 31 programme. In this article, we look at the project to develop and integrate the fighting heart of the frigate.
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Only seven years to wait until the Royal Navy gets a new frigate
Head of the Ministry of Defence, Stephen Lovegrove recently wrote another confessional letter, this time to the Public Accounts Committee admitting that the first Type 31 frigate will not be in service until May 2027. Back in the halcyon days of 2017, the First Sea Lord was expecting the lead ship to be in service fully 4 years earlier, by 2023.
The Type 31 frigate in view
Babcock recently released a better quality rendering of the Type 31 frigate design for the Royal Navy. Below is the image annotated with the equipment fit. At this stage, the concept design process is underway with the detailed design phase due to begin in late 2020. This is only an indicative outline which may be subject to further changes.More