(See) Royal Navy: Fregattenklasse Typ 31 / Inspiration-Klasse

[Schneemann]

Das neueste Fregattenprojekt der Royal Navy - die Typ-31-Fregatte (auch General Purpose Frigate - GPFF) - hat den Whole Ship Critical Design Review erfolgreich abgeschlossen, womit die Befürchtungen aus 2020, dass die Planungen sich erheblich bzw. um bis zu vier Jahre verzögern werden, wieder etwas entkräftet werden konnten. Geplant ist bislang, dass fünf Einheiten gebaut werden sollen.

Nach aktuellem Stand handelt es sich um rund 5.700 Tonnen verdrängende Schiffe mit u. a. einem 24-Zellen-VLS für CAMMs sowie einer ganzen Reihe von Rohrwaffen, wobei aber das größte Kaliber wiederum nur bei 57 mm liegt (hatten wir ja schon mal). Die ersten Einheiten sollen ab 2027 der Flotte zugehen.

Type 31 frigate passes critical design review milestone

The Babcock-led Team 31 has completed the Whole Ship Critical Design Review (WSCDR) for the UK Royal Navy’s (RN’s) new Type 31 frigate, paving the way for the start of production later this year. Announcing the milestone on 27 April, Babcock said this was “a key indicator of the compliance, maturity, and engineering risk in proceeding into production”.

Babcock, leading an industry team also comprising Thales, OMT and BMT, was in November 2019 awarded a GBP1.25 billion (USD1.74 billion) design and build contract for the five-ship Type 31 frigate programme. The Arrowhead 140 ship design selected for Type 31 is an adaptation of the Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate platform already in service with the Royal Danish Navy.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-...-milestone

Schneemann.

[Schneemann]

First Sea Lord Reveals the Names of Royal Navy’s Type 31 Inspiration-class Frigates

Britain’s senior sailor First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin today announced the names of the Type 31 frigates – which will now be known as the Inspiration-class. [...]

Each name has been selected to represent key themes and operations which will dominate and shape the global mission of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines: carrier operations (Formidable); operational advantage in the North Atlantic (Bulldog); forward deployment of ships around the globe to protect UK interests (Active); technology and innovation (Venturer); and the Future Commando Force (Campbeltown). The names of the five future frigates were revealed at the First Sea Lord’s Seapower conference held in Arundel House. [...]

All five Inspiration-class vessels will be assembled at the Babcock yard in Rosyth, where a new construction hall is nearing completion. The first steel is due to be cut on the ships this summer and all five are due to be in service by 2028, operating alongside Type 26 or City-class frigates which will be dedicated submarine hunters and will replace the equivalent specialist Type 23s.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/202...-frigates/

Schneemann.

[Schneemann]

Die ersten Einheiten sind noch nicht auf Kiel gelegt, aber es wird bereits darüber spekuliert, wer wohl in Zukunft als möglicher Exportkunde in Erwägung gezogen werden könnte. Neben Polen und Indonesien gilt Griechenland als heißester Kandidat - erste Konzepte unter der Bezeichnung Arrowhead 140 (auch Fregatte Typ 31e) wurden bereits im Frühjahr vorgestellt (u. a. Link: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/202...enic-navy/).

DEFEA 2021: Babcock displays Arrowhead 140 Type 31e frigate

During the International Defense Exhibition that will take place in Athens (Greece) from 13 to 15 July 2021, Babcock displayed a model of Arrowhead 140 Type 31e frigate, the British offer as part of the Greek procurement of four new frigates. [...]

The Type 31 frigate or Inspiration class, and formerly known as the Type 31e frigate or General Purpose Frigate (GPF), is a planned class of frigate, based on the hull of the Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate, for the United Kingdom's Royal Navy intended to enter service in the 2020s alongside the Type 32 frigate, and the submarine-hunting Type 26 frigate.

The Arrowhead 140 can operate in all states and conditions with a Ship’s Company of less than 100 personnel. [...] The armament of the Arrowhead 140 includes medium Calibre Gun options up to 5” (127mm) for maritime interdiction, self-protection and engagement of surface and land targets. As well as small Calibre Guns up to 40mm caliber can be located in predesignated upper-deck weapon positions. In option, the frigate can be armed with a provision of up to 8 canister-launched SSGW (Surface-to-Surface Guided Weapons), VL missiles (SAM/SSGW/Land Strike/ASW) up to 32 cells and Close-In Weapons Systems.

http://navyrecognition.com/index.php/nav...igate.html

Schneemann.

[Schneemann]

First steel cut on Type 31 frigate programme

Babcock has cut steel on the first of five new Type 31 Inspiration-class general-purpose frigates on order for the UK Royal Navy (RN).

A ceremonial cut for the first-of-class – to be named HMS Venturer – was performed at the company's Rosyth yard on 23 September. The event also saw the new assembly hall on site named as ‘The Venturer Building'. Babcock was selected for the Type 31 programme in September 2019, with a GBP1.25 billion (USD1.71 billion) contract for five ships signed in November that year. [...] The symbolic first cut of steel for Venturer was conducted at Babcock's new advanced manufacturing facility, a key part of the company's digital transformation at Rosyth. This includes panel lines with robotic welding capability, as well as other semi-automated manufacturing machines.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/indus...-programme

Schneemann.

[Schneemann]

Babcock Marks Completion Of New Assembly Hall For Type 31 Frigate

Babcock, the defence, security and aerospace company, has unveiled plans to recruit 500 workers for its Type 31 frigate programme as the build of its new state-of-the-art assembly hall, The Venturer Building is completed at its Rosyth site. [...] The announcement was made as Douglas Chapman MP, employees, industry representatives, local school children and trade unions gathered to witness the commemorative ‘topping out’ ceremony at the new facility.

The event included a demonstration of two 125 tonne gantry cranes, which will be used to assemble the frigates, with local schoolchildren adding the final touches to the facility by helping to plant bulbs and shrubs around its perimeter.

Measuring an impressive 147m x 62m x 42m, The Venturer Building will initially be used for the assembly of the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates, providing a facility that can support UK and international shipbuilding activity for decades to come.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/202...1-frigate/

Schneemann

[Schneemann]

Babcock Lays Keel Of Royal Navy’s First Type 31 Frigate

Babcock, the aerospace, defence and security company, has started construction of the first of five Royal Navy Type 31 frigates, HMS Venturer, at its Rosyth facility. [...] The ceremony was held in the new build hall, the Venturer Building, which forms part of a £60 million investment programme, on top of an additional £100 million over the last ten years.

The fully covered hall will house two frigates for uninterrupted, parallel assembly and will support increased productivity gains through improved access to the platforms and digital connectivity.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/202...1-frigate/

Schneemann

[Schneemann]

Britisch-dänische Kooperation bzgl. der Typ-31-Fregatten. Das ist insofern auch interessant, wenn wir unsere Diskussion über die Kooperation mit den Niederländern bei der F 126 verfolgen, da ersichtlich wird, dass solche Kooperationen nicht zwingend den Ausverkauf der eigenen Industrie bedeuten müssen, sondern auch (ggf.) kostensenkend wirken und einen verbesserten Technologieaustausch mit sich bringen können, was dann dem Gesamtkonzept zugute kommt. Zumindest werden in Großbritannien solche Diskussionen über Kooperationen nicht geführt (allerdings hat man der eigenen Werftindustrie auch Bonbons gegeben).

UK And Denmark Team-Up To For Type 31 Frigates

The Royal Navies of Britain and Denmark will work side-by-side to bring the UK’s next generation of warships into service. [...]

The two allies have agreed to work even closer together to maximise the construction, training, and finally, operational opportunities of the Type 31 frigate. The Royal Navy has ordered five of the ships to replace veteran Type 23 frigates which perform general patrol duties around the world. [...]

Given the Danes’ extensive experience in every aspect of building the ships, introducing them into front-line service, operating and maintaining them, the two NATO navies have signed the Type 31 Implementing Agreement which will

• assist the two nations’ shipbuilding industries to deliver value for money capability on time to protect against evolving threats.
• support the introduction of the Type 31s into Royal Navy service
• jointly develop doctrine and seize opportunities to test that doctrine in joint training, exercises and operations
• develop and transform support policy for both classes of shop
• develop collaborative operational tasking involving Type 31s and Iver Huitfeldt-class vessels
• contribute to the long-term future of the Danish and United Kingdom defence industries

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/202...-frigates/

Schneemann

[Schneemann]

UK’s first Type 31 frigate to be delivered in 2025

The Royal Navy’s first Type 31 frigate HMS Venturer is scheduled for delivery in 2025, according to the information provided by shipbuilding company Babcock International.

The information was revealed as part of a written evidence response submitted by Babcock to the Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry. The committee launched an inquiry examining military shipbuilding in Scotland in February this year. [...] Babcock further explains: Five Type 31 frigates will be built, on which the steel was cut for the first vessel, HMS Venturer in September 2021 with the first vessel to be delivered to the Authority in 2025. To deliver all five ships by 2028, parallel build activity has been enabled through the programme investment and supplier contracting methodology.”

https://www.navaltoday.com/2022/06/16/uk...d-in-2025/

Schneemann

[Schneemann]

Babcock cuts steel on second Royal Navy Type 31 Inspiration Class frigate

Babcock has reached another major milestone on the Type 31 programme, to deliver five Inspiration Class frigates for the Royal Navy, as it cut steel marking the official start of HMS Active’s build programme at Rosyth.

Coming just 16 months since steel was cut on the first ship, HMS Venturer, Babcock welcomed senior guests from the UK Government and Royal Navy, alongside international industry to witness the traditional shipbuilding ceremony. [...] A key component of the UK’s national shipbuilding strategy, the Type 31 programme will support a direct UK workforce of around 1250 people, including 150 apprenticeships and a further 1,250 people in the supply chain at the height of the programme.

Additionally, Babcock has created 250 new Production Support Operative (PSO) roles to support the programme and beyond, with a focus on recruiting people who are not currently in education, employment, or training with recruitment undertaken in conjunction with Fife Council, Fife College and local employability programmes. Once fully trained the PSOs will support activities across the Rosyth business. [...] In Poland, Babcock is working closely with PGZ by transferring knowledge that will support the MIECZNIK frigate programme. This follows the class design contract awarded to Babcock in 2022 and builds on the strategic partnership in the naval sector between the Polish and UK Governments’.

https://www.babcockinternational.com/de/...s-frigate/

Schneemann

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Thales achieves radar milestone for UK’s Type 31 frigate program

French equipment provider Thales has revealed that surveillance radar which will be fitted on Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates passed factory acceptance tests. [...]

As informed, the radar passed its factory acceptance test at the end of February this year. This was witnessed by y a delegation of customers including Babcock International and the UK Ministry of Defence. [...] This radar will be used initially for integration testing before being installed on-board the Type 31. “The Type 31 program is very important to Thales and we are proud to play such a pivotal role in it. This Factory Acceptance Test demonstrates our commitment to delivery in accordance with specification,” Gerben Edelijn, Vice-President Thales Above Water Systems, said. [...] To remind, Babcock started the construction of the second vessel in this class, HMS Active, in January this year.

https://www.navaltoday.com/2023/04/12/th...e-program/

Schneemann

[Schneemann]

UK: Royal Navy announces Mk 41 VLS fit for Type 31 frigates

The UK Royal Navy (RN) has revealed plans to install the Lockheed Martin Mk 41 vertical launching system (VLS) into its five new Type 31 Inspiration-class general-purpose frigates. The fit will expand the range of missiles and capabilities the ships can deliver.

Speaking on 17 May at theFirst Sea Lord's Sea Power Conference 2023 – co-hosted by the RN, the Council on Geostrategy, and King's College London, at Lancaster House, London – the navy's First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sir Ben Key said, “We need to advance our ability to deliver lethal, long-range offensive fires against our adversaries, hence the decision to ensure the Mk 41 VLS is fitted to the Type 26 frigates – and we intend to fit it also to our Type 31 frigates.”

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/naval...1-frigates

Schneemann

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The First Type 31 Frigate “HMS Venturer” Takes Shape

On August 24, 2023, the Royal Navy released new images of the construction of the Type 31 project's lead ship, the future HMS Venturer. [...] Gleaming in its red paint and complete, this is the bright, bulbous bow of HMS Venturer, the first of the Royal Navy’s new Type 31 frigates.

Under 18 months since her keel was laid, Venturer is beginning to resemble a warship as the giant units and blocks which make up the vessel are slotted into place with pinpoint accuracy by Babcock at their Rosyth site.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/202...kes-shape/

Schneemann

[Schneemann]

Babcock Lays Keel Of Second Type 31 Frigate

Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company, continues its successful delivery of the Royal Navy Type 31 frigates, with the laying of the keel for HMS Active, the second of the five-ship Inspiration class programme.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/202...1-frigate/

Schneemann

[Schneemann]

Babcock: Float-off of UK’s first Type 31 frigate expected in first half of 2024

UK shipbuilder Babcock has revealed that the Royal Navy’s first Type 31 frigate HMS Venturer will be floated off in the first half of 2024. [...]

“HMS Venturer is progressing through construction and assembly with the complete hull now in place and the superstructure taking shape. Main engines, gear boxes and diesel generators are installed with supporting systems being fitted around them. The next major milestone will be float-off, expected in the first half of 2024,” the company stated. [...] In April 2022, in the brand-new assembly hall in Rosyth dockyard in Scotland, Babcock laid the keel of HMS Venturer. The company signed a contract for the construction of five ships. The keel for the second vessel in this class, HMS Active, was laid in January 2023.

https://www.navaltoday.com/2023/12/28/ba...f-of-2024/

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Thales completes factory acceptance tests for Type 31 frigate mission system

Thales has successfully completed factory acceptance tests (FATs) for the first Type 31 mission system, the company announced on 28 February.

UK shipbuilder Babcock, leading the ‘Team 31' consortium, is delivering five Type 31 Inspiration-class general-purpose frigates based on the Arrowhead 140 design for the Royal Navy (RN) under a GBP1.25 billion (USD1.59 billion) contract awarded in November 2019.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/naval...ion-system

Schneemann