BAE Systems Announces Contracts For Type 26 Frigate

BAE Systems will be joined by six companies in building the new Type 26 frigate for Britain's Royal Navy.

The six companies include Babcock, for the ship's air weapons handling system; DCNS for work on the vessel's propulsion shaft lines; GE Energy Power Conversion for the ship's electric propulsion motor and drive system; Imtech, for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and the low-voltage electrical equipment; Raytheon, for development of integrated navigation and bridge systems; and Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions for the ship's fixed firefighting systems.

"By the 2030s, the Type 26 will be the backbone of UK's surface fleet and a strong industrial base is essential to sustaining this naval capability," said Geoff Searle, BAE's Type 26 Global Combat Ship Program director. "Our partners and suppliers play a key role in this, as we work together to further develop the detailed design of the ship's systems and equipment to enable us to deliver 13 highly capable, affordable and supportable Type 26 ships for the Royal Navy.

"With UK suppliers expected to account for around 80 percent of this significant program, Type 26 will support thousands of skilled UK jobs in BAE Systems and across the whole supply chain," he said.

The Type 26 Global Combat Ship will be 487 feet long, 66 feet in the beam and displace 6,600 tons. It will have a speed of more than 28 knots and a range of 7,000 nautical miles at a speed of 15 knots.

The first vessel is expected to enter service as soon as possible after 2020.

BAE Systems and its team were awarded the vessel's design work and hope to win the manufacturing contract.

Other members of the team are Rolls Royce, MTU, David Brown Gear Systems and Rohde & Schwarz.