Engineering news
HMS Forth, the first of the new River-class offshore patrol vessels, has successfully completed its first journey from BAE Systems shipyard at Govan on the Clyde to the company’s Scotstoun facility, where it will complete final systems installation and testing.
The new process to transfer Forth across the Clyde began with a single remote control and 160 wheels driving the 1,600-tonne OPV from inside the ship build hall at Govan to the dock side at 0.5mph. Forth then made a short journey towards the waiting barge before setting sail for Scotstoun via the King George V dock.
The design of the OPV builds on the Royal Navy's existing River-class ships and variants of this design are already in service in Brazil and Thailand. Engineers at BAE Systems have modified the design to meet the requirements of the Royal Navy. The OPVs will be globally deployable and capable of ocean patrol with a range in excess of 5,000 nautical miles, equivalent to a journey from Portsmouth to Rio de Janeiro, and a maximum speed of 24 knots.
Vice-admiral Simon Lister, chief of materiel (fleet) for the MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation, said: “The cutting-edge technology of the Royal Navy’s versatile new offshore patrol vessels will enable these warships to carry out a wide range of tasks, from disaster relief missions to maritime security, all the while protecting the UK’s interests at home and around the globe.
“Supported by a rising defence budget, the rollout of HMS Forth reflects the success of the OPV programme, safeguarding the vital capability and skills that will be used in the delivery of the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates.”
Iain Stevenson, managing director at BAE Systems Naval Ships, said: “For HMS Forth to enter the water less than two years after construction started is hugely significant and sets the tone for the future of modern warship building. She is the first complex warship to benefit from the new technologies and methods that we are introducing to further bolster our ability to be the best supplier to the Royal Navy. HMS Forth has already benefitted from a safer and more efficient build process that enabled much of the work to take place under cover, and as a result she leaves our Govan facility at a much higher rate of completion.
“We’re building on the proud heritage of British shipbuilding here in Glasgow and looking to the future. Not only does this mean we are creating valuable additions to the Royal Navy’s fleet but we are ensuring that shipbuilding skills and expertise are maintained and developed in the UK.”
The manufacturing contract for the first three ships was announced in August 2014, and in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review, the UK government announced its intention to buy a further two OPVs to be built in Glasgow. Construction of first of class, HMS Forth, began in October 2014, second of class, HMS Medway, began in June 2015 while HMS Trent began in October 2015. HMS Forth is due to be delivered to the Royal Navy in 2017.