BAE Systems has powered up HMS Glasgow for the first time, a significant milestone in the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigate programme as the first-in-class ship begins generating her own electricity.
The company confirmed that diesel generators aboard Glasgow have been switched on, allowing the ship to self-power for the first time. The generators form a core part of the Type 26’s hybrid propulsion and power architecture, providing both electrical power for ship systems and quiet propulsion when required.
According to BAE Systems Maritime, the generators are designed to deliver efficient and flexible power management wherever the Royal Navy operates, while also supporting the platform’s anti-submarine warfare role. Low acoustic signature is a central requirement of the Type 26 design, with power generation, auxiliary systems and routing all engineered to minimise noise and vibration.
The Type 26 Global Combat Ship is optimised for anti-submarine warfare but is intended to be a versatile, multi-mission frigate. Quiet power generation is critical to that role, reducing the ship’s detectability while supporting sensors, combat systems and mission equipment.
HMS Glasgow is the first of thirteen Type 26 frigates being built on the Clyde for the Royal Navy and Royal Norwegian Navy, replacing the ageing Type 23 anti-submarine warfare frigates. The class will form a central part of the UK’s future surface fleet and has also been selected by Canada and Australia for their own naval programmes.
The successful power-up of Glasgow’s generators represents another step towards full systems integration and eventual sea trials, as construction and outfitting continue at BAE Systems’ shipyards on the Clyde.
Well that’s good. With the present threat environment both T26 & T31 must be speeded up into service. Yes they are prototypes etc but I’m afraid the security of the nation is a stake so some of their trials will have to be in service.
I think you will find it is 8 type26 and 5 type31. Type 26 hull numbers were reduced from 13 to 8 with the cheaper 5 type31 making up the original 13 number.
It’s 13 Type 26 and 5 Type 31.
T26 is 8 for UK AND 5 for Norway.
They are including the Norweigen 5 in that 13.
It clearly stated 13 type 26s for the RN and Norway.. which is the being built
Good news hope to see her going to sea in the not too distant future.
Navy Lookout article on recruitment says the RN are building the crews for Glasgow, Cardiff and Venturer. Contractor trials for all 3 in 2026. Might even see Glasgow in RN hands.
All 3 in 2026? That would be an achievement, so hopefully we might see a second Type 31 in the water and possibly a third Type 26? These ships are taking too long to fit out and the build process needs to be greatly accelerated, but the Babcock only has one spare drydock for fitting out and BAE has just the two, so there will always be a queue.
“She’s alive” wahahahaha
Fantastic news.
I’d like to imagine there was a little start up ditty, similar to Microsoft Windows.
More like ” Gentlemen, Start your engines” 🔑
I think they had to use the Handle first, with full choke.
And I bet the Captain hung her handbag on the choke.
Ouch !!!!
Now I’m imaging some poor soul strapped to a table in the machine space…
Hmmm, interesting, do you think you are on the right site for that sort of fantasy ? 😂😂😂
Brilliant, now let’s get her on sea trials and into service as soon as possible.
Oh I love fisheads getting excited, break out the rum and do a Hornpipe.
Bite me
Love from the Light Infantry xx
Dear John, It is with deep regret that I have decided to give up fishing and stop dangling my tackle but I shall still look forward to seing your baiting !!!
Tight lines, keep up the great work.
Watch out for strange blokes with poity ears and no sense of humour, they might just bore you to death.
pointy ears too. 🤦♂️
If you go I will be bereft, one of the only kindred spirits with any humour on here!
Bon voyage then, does that sound fishead?
Oh, ok then, I’ll stay !!! ☺️
Tease, had a woman like you once…..is that you Morag?😛
Good news indeed. There is still a lot of work ahead however, and remember, Glasgow is the first of class, therefore the prototype. But unlike your average prototype car or aircraft, this ship, the most advanced ASW Frigate in the world, is also the production model! So don’t expect her to be rushed through her completion phase and contractors to join the fleet any time soon, just because we are short of Type 23 Frigates. The whole set to work programme, including the switching on of the diesel generators is a carefully designed process, years in the planning. The list is a long one, but the lessons learned from her build are already being passed down to her sisters, to improve efficiency and shorten their build time to service.