HMS Kent recently displayed its high-speed capabilities by reaching a speed of 33.1 knots while en route to an operational tasking.
The Type 23 frigate has been a reliable component of the UK’s naval fleet since its commissioning in 2000.
Required to sprint at top speed to our next operational tasking, the Ship reached 33.1 knots… #Invicta pic.twitter.com/vqcw9LWxos
— HMS Kent (@hms_kent) May 3, 2023
HMS Kent is a Type 23 frigate of the Royal Navy, designed for anti-submarine warfare and escort duties. The ship is equipped with a range of technology, including the Sonar 2087, enabling it to track, detect, and engage underwater threats. It also has air defence and surveillance capabilities.
Reaching 33.1 knots showcases HMS Kent’s capacity to quickly respond to various operational tasks. High-speed performance is important in a range of scenarios, from emergency response to search and rescue operations.
This event not only highlights the vessel’s capabilities but also emphasises the skills of the Royal Navy’s personnel.
That would have been fun down the donk shop 😎
I took over as Cheif tiff part 4 sea trials BOST, then Middle East deployment. We always managed to obey telegraphs even had a couple of full head and the skipper popped down the SCC with champers. Did plane guard with Abraham Lincoln
Managed 32 knots for 24 hours!
Great ship.
Am I right in thinking the the 8 ASW T23’s were upgraded with new Generators and improved Speys and hence go a lot quicker than the GP version ?
Dont think theyve had an engine change, top speed of the GP Lancaster was reported as 32 knots before the midlife refurb with anti-spoiling paint and a transom flap that was expected to allow another couple of knots in speed.
Wonder whether PGMU mod completion would add significantly to that speed for short dashes? Have been instructed previously by knowledgeable commentators on this site that max speed could not be sustained indefinitely due to presumed vibration issues, but short dash capability might alarm opposing surface and sub skippers. A sub might decide that discretion is the better part of valor, if a frigate has a sonar lock and is approaching at flank speed. Reasonably certain I would exercise discretion under those circumstances. 🤔😳😁
Hms Richmond is the only Type 23 operational ATM that has had the PGMU Upgrade.
Seem to remember a few years back there were moans about how the latest Russian frigates passing through the Channel would leave the T-23 in its wake if it wanted too. Seems not.
They must have had blooming quick Tugs pulling them along!!
They don’t transit at high speed through the channel. It’s too busy, and complex shipping lanes.
Robert l left the RN over 20 years ago, and every time we transited the English Channel, we were at 28 knots+ and that was when the large car carrying hovercraft were in operation. The only time we went through at an economical speed was when we were escort to anything that needed keeping an eye on.
They can’t go too fast, the Russian frigates, they’d leave their tugs behind.
I once went northeast up the channel in an old Tribal class, 25+ knots in the dark. That was rather fun!
I bet 😄
Shame you couldn’t have hit a few inflatables full of illegals at the same time!
Its the usual moaning from people that don’t have a clue. The RN’s published “top speeds” aren’t flat out sprints, they’re sustained runs that the ship can reliably be expected to do. Compare that to less professional forces that simply quote the highest figure the ship ever achieved.
I wonder the MPG at full speed?
I’m not sure whether the T23s can run flat out for long, bearings get hot etc. And the faster they run the more noise they make
Cars manage MPG but ships count fuel consumption in gallons per mile & if you’re racing along in a modern frigate using jet engines to reach top speed that’s a huge amount of GPM. Flat out is very rarely used, only for extreme emergencies.
The old Oly GT did 7gal a second If I remember correctly at max speed. Speys are way better than that
On the DGs new or old you are providing electric power to the electric motor to drive the shafts. There is a limit on what the motor will do. (Good anology… Connecting a 12v car battery to a mobile phone doesn’t make it louder or increase it’s range) New or old DGs will have no real effect. The new ones Improve fuel efficiency and allow the ships control system to have more power available for other systems when the electric drive is on. Hopefully shedables will be a thing of the past. Shedables is where the control system ditches non-essential… Read more »
Double gas Sir?
I still have a pendent given to me on a childhood visit to a HMS Kent which was on a goodwill visit to the Isle of Man about 1963.
Not quite up to MTB or ASR speeds, but well done!! Take your foot off the Gas now.