FRAGATA TYPE 26

FRAGATA TYPE 26

The Global Combat Ship, GCS or Type 26 frigate is a ship design and construction programme currently underway by the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom. The first Type 26 frigate is expected to enter service starting in 2021 to replace the thirteen Type 23 frigates of the Royal Navy.

The programme has been in development since 1998, initially under the designation "Future Surface Combatant (FSC)". In March 2010 BAE Systems Surface Ships was awarded a four year contract to develop the British Type 26 variant of the Global Combat Ship.[2] The October 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review reaffirmed the UK Governments commitment to the Type 26 frigate stating "As soon as possible after 2020 the Type 23 will be replaced by Type 26 frigates, designed to be easily adapted to change roles and capabilities depending on the strategic circumstances"

General characteristics

BAEs original working baseline for the Type 26 design was a vessel of 141 metres long with a displacement of 6,850 tonnes. With an "in service date" of 2021.[10] On 30 November 2010 it was reported that the specifications had been pared to reduce the cost from £500m to £250-350m per ship. By May 2011 new specification details began to emerge of a smaller 5,400 tonne ship emphasising flexibility and modularity like the German Blohm + Voss MEKO designs.[11] The new design had a length of 148m, beam of 19m, top speed of at least 26 knots (48 km/h), and a crew of 130 with room for 36 embarked troops.[12] It would have 60 days endurance and have a range of 7,000 miles (11,000 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h).[12] BAE have suggested that some customers will install gas turbine engines and others will prefer to sacrifice 2-3 knots of speed by choosing cheaper diesel engines.[11]
[edit]Weapons and systems
See also: Common Anti-Air Modular Missile and Sonar 2087

Royal Navy ships will use the Artisan 3D search radar, Sonar 2087 (towed array sonar) and Sea Ceptor (CAMM) air-defence missiles launched via a Vertical launching system (VLS). In addition, like the Type 23 frigates they replace the Type 26 frigate will be equipped with a torpedo launching system probably utilizing the Sting Ray acoustic homing light-weighttorpedos, or alternatively a next generation of Royal Navy torpedoes. It is also expected that the type 26 will be equipped with two quadruple anti-ship missile launchers (possibly 8Harpoon missiles).

The Type 26 will be fitted-out with guns of various calibres. Primarily it is expected that the main gun will consist of either the "127mm Medium Calibre Gun" or the BAE Systems 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun. In addition, smaller guns include two 30mm DS30M Mark 2 Automated Small Calibre Guns and a number of Miniguns and General-purpose machine guns.[13]
[edit]Modularity and flexibility

Global Combat Ship is designed with modularity and flexibility in mind to enhance versatility across the full range of operations, including maritime security, counter piracy, counter terrorist and humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Located in the stern is a mission bay with a ramp allowing for the deployment of rigid-hulled inflatable boats, unmanned surface vehicles or a towed array sonar (Sonar 2087).[14] The Well deck at the back will also have a system for launching and recovering unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs). Aircraft similar in size to the Boeing Chinook can be flown off the large flight deck, and the hangar can accommodate Royal Navy Wildcats and Merlin helicopters.[15] The flight deck also includes an extra hangar door and space to accommodate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

General characteristics
Class and type: Frigate
Displacement: 5,500 tonnes, standard
Length: 148 m (489 ft 6 in)
Beam: 19 m (62 ft 1 in)
Speed: 28+ knots
Range: 11,265 km (7,000 miles) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Endurance: 60 days
Troops: 36 embarked troops
Complement: 130
Sensors and
processing systems:
Artisan 3D search radar
Sonar 2087 (towed array sonar)
Armament:
Anti-air missiles;

• Sea Ceptor air-defence missile system. A 16 cellVLS with provision for up to 64 Sea Ceptor missiles (range 1-25 km)[1]

Anti-ship missiles;

• 2× quadruple anti-ship missile launchers. (possibly 8 Harpoon anti-ship missiles)

Anti-submarine torpedoes;

• A torpedo launching system. (possibly armed with Stingray torpedoes)

Guns;

• 1× 127mm Medium calibre gun, or, 1× BAE 4.5 inch Mk8 gun
• 2× 30mm DS30M automated guns
• 2× Miniguns
• 4× General-purpose machine guns

Aircraft carried: 

• 1×Lynx Wildcat, armed with; anti ship missiles (possibly Sea Skua), or anti submarine torpedoesor
• 1×Westland Merlin, armed with; 4× anti submarine torpedoes

Aviation facilities:

• Flight deck
• Enclosed hangar
• Accommodation for UAVs