HMS Cardiff, the second of eight Type 26 Frigates being built in Glasgow, has entered the water.
The float-off process for HMS Cardiff saw her travel on a barge from her former location at Govan shipyard in Glasgow to deep water at Glenmallan to be floated off the barge before being towed back upriver to Scotstoun.
Thank you to Christopher Brindle for the fantastic image.
The ship, which weighs nearly 6,000 tonnes, undertook a series of complex manoeuvres, starting with being lowered onto a barge and then towed down the river to deeper water.
That day marked the next phase of her build and saw BAE Systems engineers, along with engineers from Defence and Equipment Support (DE&S), the Ministry of Defence’s delivery agent, monitoring her move to the barge.
The float-off involved the base of the barge sinking slowly over several hours until the ship fully entered the water.
HMS Cardiff is now being towed to BAE’s Scotstoun shipyard further along the Clyde, where the Type 26 City-class frigate will undergo further outfitting, testing, and eventually commissioning.
The BAE Systems teams involved in the float-off of HMS Cardiff had been trained using the 3D visualisation suite, giving them access to a full digital twin of the ship. They closely monitored the ship throughout all stages of the process, ensuring that the transition was safely managed.
The float-off process, a modern, efficient, and low-risk method for a ship to enter the water, has been used successfully in the past for the five Batch 2 Offshore Patrol Vessels (Tamar, Spey, Trent, Medway, and Forth) built by BAE Systems in Glasgow, and of course, first in class Type 26 HMS Glasgow.
A work of art 👌
Absolutely. A beautiful ship-much sleeker design than the Type 45!
looks like a kid built it with Lego bricks I think they’re ugly boxes and too slow to build
Andy, how can you say that? She’s lovely with her stealthy lines and she looks so sleek in that pic!
I’m beginning to think Andy is incapable of a positive thought XD
Eyup lass – there’s worse posters than Andy here.
Leaving out the Russians trying to glean information not in the public realm – don’t forget we have thrown out most of their spies masquerading as diplomats – and others recently out constantly wanting to talk about ops (PTSD?) then there are the politicos who need to get over the recent change of government and look forward to ten years hard Labour…..!
So what ships would you claim are true beauties then. Woolwich Ferry?
Gosport ferry has got to be up there!!🤣
Welcome back mate.
👍
Agree like most modern designs now. They lack character and beauty. D108 was a fantastic ship and should never have been scrapped.
I didn’t realise that frigates had to be aesthetically pleasing.. I thought they were built for defense/war.. but hey I may be wrong
If you had watched the progress of the build on a weekly basis then it wasn’t a slow process. This ship is just one of the many that was built in Govan & Scotstoun….. BAE Govan & Scotstoun are great yards hence the contacts that are awarded.to them.
That’s a beautiful ship!
It seems rather snub nosed.
It is a slight angle.
I have images from above, very much snubby.
Hmm, I kind of get what you mean compared to the likes of the type 45.
Snubby because they don’t waste space with long wasted e pan ex ahead of the bridge any more which rather shows its less style over substance as was too often the case previously. Same logic that we don’t see ridiculously long bonnets on cars anymore even if it did in most peoples minds in the past equated with beauty. These days such things to most eyes look a bit silly now and I’m sure we will develop a similar aesthetic for warships just as we have for modern liners with even more snubby noses over what now seem archaic lines of old. Even if as a kid I thought they the bees knees. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and that changes over the decades, I’m just glad they have more space to be fitted for but not with useful stuff. 😇
I believe that the bridge was set back to put it nearer the centre, for less movement in a bad sea.
Does anyone know if the ‘radar reflector’ sponsons underneath the ‘cheek bulges’ at the side of the bridge will get covered up eventually? They seem to be unfinished to my untrained eye…
Mark the date, it will be interesting to see how quickly Belfast and Birmingham come together once the new assembly shed is finished.
21 months since Glasgow was floated off, so we have a benchmark. The next one is the real challenge as they will need to transition indoors, should be fun watching.
Lovely to read some good news.
As an ex HMS Cardiff (type 42)I spent 3 great years as a tanky, I hope the New ship and crew all the best, and the run ashore in Cardiff will be great boyo !!!
Well that settles it: best looking frigate in the world. Hell, best looking warship in the world.
A cracker. She really looks the business.
They certainly look the part! Now let’s let 12 please!
not going to happen, we know that.
Is it just me but does she look to be slightly further completed than Glasgow was ?
I’d agree 👍
i would imagine so, the plan is that she will be commissioned only a year after Glasgow and Glasgow was floated almost 2 years ago.
Great image. Look at the very high boot top, gives some indication as to just how much kit still needs to be fitted. Presumably she is 50% complete at best.
Yep but I think it’s lower in the water than Glasgow was 🤔
Old design and engineering saying “if it looks right, it usually is”.
And before anyone screams about how long it is taking to build these ships I’d point out that they are on schedule as per the contract.
Also if anyone wants to feel smug (just laugh quietly) I’d invite you to go and read up on the USS Constellation class on Naval Technology or USNI News.
It’s a complete shambles and there are a lot of folks looking at the Canadian version and going Hmmm !
Bottom line is to misquote from Jaws “We should have bought a bigger boat”.
But are they? (on schedule)
Trials are due 2026 and in service 2028. I’m an old sceptic (realist) but I have a sneaky feeling they may actually be slightly ahead.
I can’t help but compare the BAe T26 and Babcock T31 and how each company is projecting the progress on their projects.
a) We have Babcock, we all know they under bid, had to renegotiate and will still lose £90 million on the contract. The roll out for the T31 is behind and just keeps slipping backwards, it was Q4 2023, then Q1, Q2 and now ???? Other than a few company photos there is zero transparency.
b) BAe are 180 degrees the opposite, open about progress, what improvements they’d like to make to build schedule and the Defence Press access is excellent.
They seem very confidant that they are on the ball and if MOD or Norway place more orders they can accelerate the build times.
So yes I am pretty sure the T26 is either on schedule or slightly ahead of it.
Have to agree with you, the silence coming out of Babcock just implies that things aren’t going well with T31 build. A shame really as we need these ships sooner rather then whenever.
Or that the RN is requesting changes.
It’s a fixed price deal, so, either the changes are somewhat minor, or, the RN is spending some hard earned reddies. Details will eventually come out if that is indeed the case.
I suspect that it’s more to do with a new outfit actually building the ships.
I agree.
Let’s hope the trials go really well too.
I saw a good comment on a subbrief video at the constellation class calling it ‘the cancellation class’
😁😁👍
And they are now at $1.6 billion each. They are supposed to be ASW Frigates but have dispensed with the bow sonar, no hull sonar and only a TAS to rely on.
NL just did an article on the Constellations as well, so anyone can do it!
Completely unreliable article that extracts conclusions impossible to extract and information that it hides.
For example it praises the Canadian Type 26 – against the Australian one and the Constellation without even making reference it already more than duplicated in price and it is not even as advanced as others.
How did you manage to see the build schedule ?? These things are never on schedule they finish when they finish , let’s see how many years it sits at Scotstoun before its next sail downriver .
The build schedule is a matter of public record as are the discussions and comments regarding slightly speeding it up. UKDJ and comments by previous Defence Secretary and BAe Senior management.
I dont believe the build schedule is as public as you state , these are usually kept private to avoid any mitigation issues when the dates are not met , as is the usual case with MOD projects, none of them are within schedule or on budget and the tax payers foot the bill regardless .
Constellation went from 85% compatibility with FREMM to 85% incompatibility!
I don’t understand why the USN didn’t go for an extant class that used Mk41 and other US systems already. Let us pick a random example the Dutch De Zeven Provincien class would have been a better starting point?
I think Constellation is going to be a bigger disaster than LCS or Zumwalt.
To me, in just visual terms they have made the Italian FREMM Design look more like the Navantia F100 Frigates – maybe that is the one they should have chosen in the first place.
They are AEGIS ships too. Their range is similar to the two LCS variants as well. I just find the choice to lack logic.
F100 , neither others have a diesel electric propulsion for ASW for a start. Only T23, FREMM and now T26.
I agree they look nothing like FREMs anymore which were good compact if 1st generation designs of the modern platform good reliable if now conservative ships. They just seem to have Americanised the design by making it look like mini versions of their rather older design destroyers and cruisers, not at least superficially at least a sensible decision. If the Australians are having top weight problems with the T-26 design I rather worried if the US might struggle with a FREMM as they no doubt try to up arm and sensor them while it seems cutting back on superstructure.
Maybe you should stop laughing and think that T26 took already 7 years to build, will take probably 10 to be in service and it is a much less capable ship than the Constellation.
We’ve angsted over the timescales of the first batch of the T26 in so many virtual column inches in the comment section, and so many references to catastrophe (I should know, many were mine) that it’s okay to relax a bit now and realize we are not uniquely stupid.
We will see, it will only be less capable if its true potential isn’t realised as is uk habit sadly. It will be a far superior anti submarine platform for which it’s designed after all and certainly a far better base from which a Constellation could have been designed than the FREMM, many in the US argued that at the time. Bae after all offered a version with up to 120 missiles if that’s the way a military wants to go.
T26 a much less capable ASW frigate then a Constallation class- really!! So sub hunting in a Force 6+ gale with the TA housed is going to be done exactly how on the Connie? Just asking as they are primarily ASW assets given the ABs aren’t really designed for ASW work – hence the USN building the Connie’s.
Parking them and trying to make them into a mine AB is what’s causing this mess, should have purchased a bigger hull from the start, know of any? T26 hull would fit the bill I imagine, just a thought though.
Should say building them and mini AB, that’s predictive txt for you, and not checking before posting.
I doubt it will be as capable as the T26 as an ASW Frigate, which is what it was supposed to be, as USN no longer has one.
It would be a better option to compare it with the Canadian version as like the Constellation it has more of a GP lean to it.
The Constellation superficially looks from a previous generation very sparse looking but then most US ships of this type usually do, no real sense of utilising space more efficiently (probably dictated by fundamentally updating old designs) but they somehow cram stuff in. But at frigate size I guess they are beginning to find size matters maybe be a little less. Contemptuous of what they feel are ships for second rate navies, which is why they rejected frigates for so long. They really don’t seem to have their heart in smaller ships, geez even in the 18th Century their ‘frigates’ were bigger than everyone elses.
Seems my surmise was generally correct, top structures cut down from original FREMM design to save weight and ensure it remains stable with the addition of US sensors and weaponry. Lengthened to try to maintain some level of through life upgradability, prospective reduction in machinery space and thus speed to try to cling onto that upgradable path, though it’s accepted that is unlikely to be met, 3 years delay to 2029 for first frigate which seems challenging to be able to meet the full required upgraded planned spec, as it started build while the design was still totally in flux, despite unrealised reassurances it was 80% complete, 40% underestimate in cost and was it determined underbid in the first place, so now looking at least $1.6 Billion a ship and still no guarantee it will ever actually get the full planned weapon/sensor fill out as weight is an ongoing problem despite more reassurances. Hasn’t met any of its yearly assessment goals as of Dec 2023. That’s all I can remember from the damning report. To suggest these will be better ships than T-26 is optimistic in the extreme, though one suspects they may well have made a mess of that design too so maybe a missed bullet. Will certainly be interesting to see how they compare to Canadian T-26 version in the end, because there will be hell to pay if they don’t compare well.
It’s almost as if the US ship folks are doing their best to persuade their Politicians to never buy foreign designs ever again.
To be honest if they had just wanted a basic, affordable ASW Frigate they should have gone for HHI’s offering of a patrol frigate version of the USCG Legend class.
Makes them sound like relations of Glen Sannox and Glen Rossa, squeezing new tech into an old design. Computer systems now are advanced enough to not rely on updates to old designs. Build new designs which are proven to do the job.
What a beaut she is!
Should she be joining the Norgies (I hope), first port of call for Glasgow should be the USA.
There is still time for them to break contract and join T26 programme; host a Diplomatic/Military function on Glasgow’s landing pad and sell the arse off her.
You’ve got to try.
If they don’t do it, we can just rub it in over their insistence on an in service design.
I think it was Gunbuster that wrote is was only 15% compatible with the Fremm.
We British have form, think Phantom, but the US also know how to kick the arse out of things.
Not sure if you’ve ever watched Pentagon Wars, it’s a great film that is required learning for all British military officers and Defence procurement professionals 😉
(Mr Moore, don’t bite 😉 )
Thanks for the steer. I hadn’t seen it. Just watched the first five minutes and it’s already a clear winner.
“If the US army acted on the opinion of every Tom, Dick or Harry on these matters, we’d end up with a bunch of B52s powered by outboard motors.”
Which reminds me, I must get on with my SDR submission.
Same, I still need to read all of the questions.
I first saw it on holiday and couldn’t be bothered.
See my reply to DB above, it was created by a very bitter individual with an axe to grind, and while it’s funny, it shouldn’t be taken seriously.
That’s a shame, I had that on my to watch list.
I wouldn’t say don’t watch it. But it’s just bearing in mind it bears as much semblance to reality as Kelly’s Heroes.
I love Kelly’s Heroes!
Above that are The Dirty Dozen and Where Eagles Dare.
And my no 1 is Cross of Iron, with Steiner and Stranski, not so well known as not Hollywood and US obsessed.
I’ll watch and laugh.
As I said, I like t he Pentagon Wars, but it’s educational value is at best questionable.
The reason I brought up Kelly’s Heroes is because it’s a good film, but I wouldn’t say “Anyone who wants to go into Maneuver Warfare should have Kelly’s Heroes as required learning.”
No, for that, The Battle of the Bulge with those awful Panzer reproductions! 😆
The cruel sea….
Mate, if you like a good action war film – try “The wild geese” from 1978. Mercenary action in Africa- Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Rodger Moore.
Mate….been watching that since I was about 10 when my dear mum recommended it!
Classic. I could pretty much talk you through the script! Especially my fav bits.
Excellent Mate – one of my all time favourites. They just don’t make ’em like that anymore.
They don’t.
The 15% compatible continues do talked about as if it is something strange.
Of course if you replace all weapons, almost all sensors (in the project USN wanted even another sonar – it failed), mandate almost everything American you cannot have much more.
And that was established from start if we look at it the compatibility actually increased now with same sonar.
That 15% is usually confabulated with talked about 85% initial clam but those did not included the weapons and sensors.
What is the compatibility between RN T26 and CAN and RAN T26? None have same sonars, same radars , same weapons. Energy requirement’s will be different due to different radars.
And yet the USN wanted a bog standard frigate whereas the Canuks and Aussies wanted baseline frigate concept that could be adapted – and this is where we disagree.
T26 was built with significant growth margins that allowed Allies to… think… it could be adapted, FREMM was not and the septics have smashed the ball out of the park.
I’ll leave Gunbuster to referee.
If the Norwegians come on board it will be interesting to see how that goes, as they’ve said as close to 100% compatible as possible.
Is there any more news about the Norwegians and if the T26 is there proffered choice?
In a nutshell.whats the phrase…we gave you what you asked for, but its not what you wanted.
The Americans will never admit the mistake in not going for a large fully customisable BRITISH design, unless there is a serving of some serious humble pie.
AA. (It should be “umble pie” I believe…a pie made from leftovers and offle items, for the servants)
Sorry but you are wrong about the commonality between the baseline T26, Hunter and CSG.
Energy requirements are different but just like the T45 one of the T26’s KURs was a large growth margin with adaptability in mind, and that included the power system.
Lessons were learnt from the T23 and T45 that over the 30+ year life cycle of a warship power requirements increase so cheaper to build in excess power capability from scratch.
The propulsion systems on order are the same integrated RR MT30 / RR MTU DG’s setup as the T26. Contact the RR Power systems press office if you like (or just check the company website)
Not sure about the Electric Motors but I would be surprised if it wasn’t the same GEC Alstom motors RN use. (Good luck getting any info out of them).
Funnily enough although the US has gone for an LM25 4 MT for Constellation class they are fitting exactly the same RR MTU V20 DGs as the T26 and derivatives.
Oh and all 3 versions of T26 use exactly the same combination of Ultra and Thales sonars.
Pentagon Wars shouldn’t be required learning. It’s written by a very bitter Air Force Colonel who had a bone to pick with the Army, and was really just out to make the Bradley look as bad as possible. (Eg when he’s complaining about the ammo bins being filled with sand he delibertaly ignores that filling the ammo compartments with Sand enables post test evaluation to look at where the damage occurs, while if you fill them with actual explosives you end up with a blow up Bradley, which looks really good if you are trying to get the Bradley program cancelled and make the Army look foolish, but isn’t really useful if your trying to learn where damage occurs).
not as dramatic as the slide on the slipway used to be.
Or the slide as it crashes into another ship or the opposite bank.
Super looking ship
Seems to sit well in the water , hope they give this class the full potential unlike the T45s 🇬🇧
Looks good.
D108 Was a great ship. This looks ok but give me the design of a Type 42 over this!
Same as everything modern like houses, stadiums, cars, ships etc – all lack character.
What’s to stop a 10 quid drone from busting a hole in the side of it?
Please build us 10 for Canada. Our navy is 40 years behind and neglected
So happy to see this beautiful lady hitting the water! Im involved with building some of the electrical assemblies on board and I can honestly say it’s been some of my best and most intricate work. Lovely😊