HMS Cardiff, the second Type 26 City Class frigate, is starting to look the part as the vessel continues construction in Govan, Glasgow.
The ship is undergoing structural work before being floated and transported to BAE Systems’ Scotstoun facility in 2024 for outfitting.
For the avoidance of doubt, the drone footage was obtained legally by a qualified person in adherence to UK drone legislation and guidance. In addition, the drone is insured, and a flight plan was submitted using drone safety software.
Simon Lister, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business, previously expressed pride and satisfaction in the progress.
“The emergence of HMS Cardiff is a very proud moment for everyone involved in her construction. We have now completed all major units of the ship and in the coming weeks our skilled teams will consolidate the ship in preparation for next year’s float off,” Lister said.
Here's the new 'frigate factory', too. pic.twitter.com/BX4qfmFxQW
— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) August 21, 2023
The first Type 26 frigate, HMS Glasgow, is currently being outfitted at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun facility. The construction of the eight Type 26 frigates is expected to last to the mid-2030s. HMS Glasgow is anticipated to be the first of the fleet to join the Royal Navy in the mid-2020s.
HMS Cardiff will be the last frigate to have its hull sections integrated in the open air on the hardstand. This is due to the construction of a new £100m-plus ship build hall at the Govan site, which will allow the integration process for the remaining six ships to take place under cover, making it less susceptible to weather conditions.
Big
Possible now to envisage two ships in the build halls under contruction. 😀
Currently happening . Cardiff outside and Belfast and Birmingham blocks under build inside
I know they got Glasgow off, buuuuuut, there does not appear to be much space for the barge to manoeuvre with the coffer dam in place, or is it just me?
That was my first thought, but clearly it’s a little deceptive the barge front fits at an angle analogous to the angle of the edge in front of Cardiff, there is indeed a slight cut out where the side rests opposite that you can just see in the top right pic, which gives the true position once it’s secured that it takes up. So that’s the angle it goes in at, with its front port side alongside the pier bit on the left by the slipway. The Frigate is then rotated a little to then run onto it via SPMTs.… Read more »
I understood it doesn’t go in at the present angle.
(Hey BAE systems, I have an idea for you…).
I mean, how does the barge get out? The multi-point reverse works when the coffer dam isn’t there but now that it is, I can’t see it.
(Specsavers right?).
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-images-show-new-frigate-hms-glasgow-before-launch/
Shows aerial pic of the sealift vessel at the angle to take the full hull
Thanks Duker.
Here is a vid of a 20K tonne ship being moved off a heavy lift ship by SPMTs. We use similar units at my yard to move massive bits of ship and rigs around. They are awesome bits of kit.
FPSO decommissioning: Curlew – YouTube
How’s the activ and Belfast builds getting along?