The composite mast for Type 26 Frigate HMS Glasgow has arrived on the Clyde from specialist supplier Umoe Mandal in Norway.

Last year, Umoe Mandal was awarded a contract for three shipsets of composite mast and SCOT Sponsons structures for the Royal Navy’s Type 26 Frigates, designed and manufactured by BAE Systems.

Recently, the forward block of HMS Glasgow (the first of 8 Type 26 Frigates) was rolled out of the build hall at Govan. You can watch this by clicking on the link below.

WATCH: HMS Glasgow forward section rolled out

The forward ‘superblock’ will be joined to the aft ‘superblock’ over the coming weeks to form one complete Type 26 Frigate hull.

The Type 26 represents the future backbone of the Royal Navy and eight of the class are planned, starting with HMS Glasgow. The eight ships will replace the eight dedicated anti-submarine Type 23 frigates which will reach the end of their active lives by the mid 2030s.

In addition to the Clyde built Type 26, five Rosyth built Type 31 general purpose frigates are intended to replace the general-purpose Type 23s currently in service and also coming towards the end of their long careers.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Pete
Pete
3 years ago

Great news but seeing it hang like that does remind me of …
1. A dodgy coffee grinder my old man had in the 70’s and 2. A toy Dalek I had as a kid.

Think I’ll go with the Dalek.

Someone can explain it to Dan.

Last edited 3 years ago by Pete
john melling
john melling
3 years ago

Exterminate…Exterminate…😂

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
3 years ago
Last edited 3 years ago by Nigel Collins
Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
3 years ago

Hmme

Recalling the debate about the T45 mast as few weeks back when I mentioned that it was composite around as steel skeleton frame……

Someone else then told me composite couldn’t bear the weight or be stiff enough…..

I’m waiting for someone to tell me that it isn’t really a composite mast at all!!

Gunbuster
Gunbuster
3 years ago

The sampson radar is a shed load heavier than artisan. The Artisan has a small pedestal turning unit that it rotates on top of . Sampson has a huge great roller bearing assembly that is something like 9 or 10 feet in diameter. It is physically machined into the steel at the top of the mast on T45. When Artisan was retrofitted to T23 part of the requirement was that the Mast head outfit of the radar, turning unit and maintenance access platform was to be no heavier than the legacy 996 radar so it is relatively lightweight (Less than… Read more »

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
3 years ago
Reply to  Gunbuster

@GB Sorry I shouldn’t have been so flippant with my comment. However if you look at https://cradpdf.drdc-rddc.gc.ca/PDFS/xtr9/p517847.pdf see section 3.14 “A technology demonstrator mast was developed by BAE Systems as a test structure to be installed in the UK Royal Navy’s next class of destroyers, the Type 45. The mast is designed to form a key component of the ship’s “upper superstructure”. It comprises a steel substructure clad in advanced fibre reinforced plastic composite panels, which incorporate radar-absorbing layers.” You will see that they state that the mast is as I believe it is. Steel frame with a composite cladding.… Read more »

Lusty
Lusty
3 years ago

-prepares oneself for the ‘betrayal of Scottish shipyards’ arguement-

spyintheskyuk
spyintheskyuk
3 years ago
Reply to  Lusty

Im sure a certain Plymouth paper has already got its headline sorted. ‘British Frigates’ Norway Build Confirmed’ perhaps.

Matt
Matt
3 years ago
Reply to  spyintheskyuk

Oh if I could like/upvote just 1 comment! Thanks for that comment mate, I needed that!
M@

Lusty
Lusty
3 years ago
Reply to  spyintheskyuk

I can’t for the life of me think what paper you mean. 😉

barry white
barry white
3 years ago
Reply to  spyintheskyuk

That “certain Plymouth paper” you are on about is owned by the Daily Mirror
Enough said
They are even commenting on “Jets flying over Plymouth”
Well i’ll be damed isnt Plymouth a military city
And as regards the Scot shipyards Plymouth has lost all the based subs that were there that are now based in Scotland and left with i think 13 rotten nuclear subs

Paul T
Paul T
3 years ago

Its interesting the Masts are being Manufactured in Norway – Airfix will be disappointed they didn’t win the Tender 😫

andy
andy
3 years ago

it would be nice if there was a build documentary similar to when the T45,s were built, but given covid put the world in a creek without paddle chance might be a fine thing..

geoff
geoff
3 years ago

Good Morning Gentlemen. Cycle on the Durban Beachfront and then off to the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Blue Ensign fluttering in the light North Easterly no doubt… for a spot of brunch. BTW if any of you suffer from low blood pressure and want to save on medication, read the article in the Mail Online of yesterday about the Carrier deployment.The comments section should improve your condition considerably…!