In march 2010 the Royal Navy took the first major step towards developing the Type 26 class of combat ships for the British fleet. This next generation of warships will be developed initially under a four-year, assessment phase £127 million ($188 million) contract.
The BAE program will focus on replacing Type 22 and Type 23 frigates with the Type 26 class of combat ships for the British fleet.British Defense Secretary Bob Ainsworth said the Type 26 combat ship will have the versatility needed to maintain an advanced naval combat force.
The baseline design suggests a 141m long vessel, displacing 6,850 tonnes equipped with a towed low frequency sonar array and two launchers for the Future Local Area Air Defence (Maritime) system firing the Common Anti Air Modular Missile.Other options include a vertical launch system for Tomahawk, SCALP or a modified GMLRS. Harpoon and a main gun also remain options, a choice of 127mm, 155mm or even a refurbished 114mm weapon.
"Programs like the Type 26 not only ensure the (British navy) continues to have cutting edge capability but also sustain the industry that supports them," he said.The announcement for the Type 25 is timed to address any recommendations in an upcoming strategic defense review to coincide with the defense strategies of the British government.
The Type 26 becomes the first of two classes designed and built under a future surface combatant program. Its aim is to deliver "enhanced anti-submarine warfare capability" and to develop an agile naval defense fleet.
The first of the Type 26 vessels is to enter service with the British navy within the next 20 years.
It is being termed the ‘Combat Ship’ and likely to be the larger of the Future Surface Combatant, so the C1/C2 concept seems to be still alive.
Aviation facilities include a Chinook flight deck and hangar for a Merlin and UAV, the UAV possibly housed in a supplementary ‘dog kennel’ hangar.
Beneath the flight deck will be a large mission bay and stern dock to hold 4 9m RHIB’s, a torpedo system and a wide variety of mission modules.
It is also anticipated that the Type 26 will have an ether all electric or hybrid electric propulsion system providing a range of 7000nm at 18 knots. The ships compliment is expected to be in the region of 150 plus an embarked force of over 30.
Current planning assumptions are for a quantity of 10.
Main Gate is anticipated towards the end of 2013 with production starting soon after, the lead ship is planned to be in service in 2021, some 8-9 years after main gate.
The initial element in the assessment phase will be an 18 month assessment of options, looking at what combinations of equipment like weapons and sensors will make the final cut. The last element will comprise detailed design work.
The plan calls for a yearly drumbeat starting at 2021. This means the Royal Navy escort fleet will be reduced to 15 as the Type 22’s and Type 23’s are withdrawn, up to 16 in 2037 and back up to 17 in 2038.
