The first of the Royal Navy’s new Type 31 frigates, HMS Venturer, is swiftly taking shape in Rosyth.
The warship’s progress has been remarkable, with significant development made in less than 18 months since its keel was laid.
“HMS Venturer build is taking shape with the team working towards structural completion within the build hall. The second ship in the programme, HMS Active, is emerging alongside HMS Venturer, with the double bottom blocks in-situ and the first hull blocks under construction.”
HMS Venturer build is taking shape with the team working towards structural completion within the build hall. The second ship in the programme, HMS Active, is emerging alongside HMS Venturer, with the double bottom blocks in-situ and the first hull blocks under construction. pic.twitter.com/evt01gvsTA
— Babcock International (@Babcockplc) November 2, 2023
The new frigate’s bulbous bow, although not as pronounced as the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers, is a significant piece of marine engineering. It’s been designed to modify water flow around the hull, “reducing friction as the frigate cuts through the oceans, reducing fuel usage and helping to extend the range, while also supporting the vessel’s stability.”
Parallel to the construction of HMS Venturer, the second Type 31, HMS Active, is also underway. This ship recently underwent a keel-laying, marking a symbolic milestone.
Notably, a specially minted HMS Active coin, designed by the child of a Babcock employee, will be placed under the keel, believed to bring good fortune to the ship and its crew.
Is it just me or does the bow section look odd, or ar there extra bit to the bulbous to be fitted? it is that it just looks a bit weird at the bow.
The Bulbous Bow is complete ( the Red section ) but other pieces are missing to add to the Jigsaw.
I’ll preface this with: *Not a naval engineer* but yes it looks odd, i wonder if the piece to the left of the shot is the section that sits on top of the bulbous part and finalises the shape of the bow?
She is certainly progressing well, it will be a huge relief for us all when the T26 and 31 deliveries start.
Not least for the geriatric T23s.
The bulbous bow is complete. See
https://www.orskov.dk/news-from-orskov-yard/page/2/#
Yeah, the final part of the upper bow is still missing, look at the design/concept drawings, this part will protrude much further than the lower bulbous bow part.
I thought the same but looking closer if you look at the top you can see that there is some ‘width’ there meaning there is another no doubt curving section to be fitted. I presume it’s easier to affix that once the lower more complex section of the bulbous bow than vice versa which as a layman I can probably imagine when looking at it.
Perhaps it’s a Ferguson designed bow😂😂😂
I think they are going to miss the target of having the hull completed by the end of this year.
It does look that way unfortunately. The real issue is the level of outfitting in the blocks. In earlier photo series I couldn’t see much outfitting and a lot of finishing to do. Once the hull is closed up getting anything into place takes ‘n’ X as long as it would to forklift or crane things in on the open. The fabrication also looks a bit rough to me. I hope it all works out in the end as we really need these frigates pronto and the follow on class too. The question is are people big enough to slow… Read more »
I’ve looked at the August 25th Photos and this one, it looks very slow and well very old fashioned. Why aren’t they using larger block building rather than this ? And welding a hull section off a Cherry Picker, where’s the assembly platforms ? I can’t see it being in the water much before spring and as you say then they have to outfit it the old fashioned way. That looks like the upper bow section upside down on the left so it needs painting and rotating before being lifted on. And teasing the text they use a 1000 tonne… Read more »
Why wouldn’t you be impressed? If you aren’t a warship designer and engineer, then I’d politely say, like all of us, I’d leave it to the professionals.
I wasn’t a Naval Architect. I’m now retired but I did my apprenticeship here in Derby, I’ve been on site during builds and No I’m still not impressed with this one !
Ex Rolls Royce?
Round here it’s just called Royce’s, 2nd of 3 generations.😉
Nice 👍 Would love a look round the aero engine department.
Come to think of it I haven’t visited any of the Aero D&D or production sites in 35 years, but I know lots of ex colleagues who do. There are no public tours of any of those sites but you have really just made me smile. Robert the “aero engine dept” is spread out over several countries over 3 continents, and here in Derby it’s a massive site. Go on Google Earth and have a look, it actually occupies over 15% of the land mass of the City. FYI RRSL is located elsewhere in the city and is effectively fire… Read more »
Hi mate, Good to hear a man passionate about what he does where he worked. Thanks for the link, I’ll take a look. I’d love to see those Trent 1000’s up close, and those hugely impressive turbine blades. Or the EJ200 up close would also be a bit special. Ive been fortunate to see the F35B’s life fan up close, that’s one impressive bit of engineering. My dad was pretty interested in engines, he was fascinated by them. Starting with RR as an apprentice must be a cracking start in life for the young guys and gal’s. 👍
Hi Robert I can only base my opinion on what I can see in the photos available in the public domain and compare with others. Never been involved with a surface build but in general the modern way of building is to assemble the ship (or boat) out of large blocks that are assembled in another part of the yard. That allows far more pre outfitting of larger components which avoids later access issues and far more time to clean, finish, prime the steel work etc. And it’s a way safer method of working as the block is properly scaffolded… Read more »
Some good news. I do hope that money may be found to build 3 more type 31 for a total class of 8 .
I think a 2nd batch of 5 should very much be on the cards, it isnt acceptable to leave frontline RN strength at just 19 frigates and destroyers and the type 31 programme is likely the only programme that can add numbers at reasonable cost. If we were going to go for more numbers across both the type 26 and type 31 programme then 2-3 more of each would be hugely appreciated.
Your figure of 19 is some way off yet, we have already lost 3 T23’s and i’ll bet at least one more soon.
That chine looks extremely sharp. I think the build quality of working indoors will be a substantial improvement.
Is that a bow thruster I see in the article of the Ivor Hundfelt in dock?
any insights on her commissioning date, estimates?
As far as I can see delivery is still expected in 2025. In service 2027.
Ive a sneaking suspicion HMS Glasgow will beat HMS Venturer into service 🙄
While it might be turning into a bit of a horse race and 2027 is looking less and less likely, I’d still go for Venturer first. It’s less technically complex which should give it an advantage coming down the home straight.
Going by the pictures provided and opinion given id say its a certainty that Glasgow will come first,yes the T31 is not as complex as the T26 but its still a very technical project,especially regarding outfitting. BAE are competent in Warship builds and have proved it despite the snails pace of construction,whereas Babcock’s are at a disadvantage in not having completed a build yet on their own,time will tell i guess 👍
Thank you Rob
Photo is a poor PR stunt , there’s loads of welding work to be done in the area shown , most of the upper sections are just sat in place probably tacked on the inside , assuming the starboard side is probably the same completion status .
I don’t understand the photo – she’s big and no scaffolding but, a bit like lego – blocks put together; will she have the strength for the North Atlantic?
Where’s N-A-B when you need him?
Meanwhile, I’d be looking for 3 batches of this ship if she meets the baseline: 12 would begin the rejuvenation of the RN surface force.
Meanwhile, that bulbous bow – could it take a sonar?
Considering the heritage of the base design i would be quite confident that the T31 could handle the rigours of the North Atlantic,as for the Bulbous Bow no it won’t/cannot take a Sonar.
And is that a problem?
We need a fleet that can detect and defeat enemy submarines, 8 T26 is just not going to cut it; enemy submarine activity is only going to increase and where the Moskva is becoming a reef, the subs are not.
The T31 is what it is – a new way of getting Ships into service built to a specific Budget,the spec has been done to death on here,only the Govt/HMT/MOD can change that.
Absolutely true.
However, as T23 retires from service, why do they not switch over their sonar?
It needs crew? We know.
Should things slide to the right in Anglo Rus Sino relationships, sonar will be up there with keeping entire crews alive. What price should be paid?
And there’s the rub.
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I seem to recall that Babcock said that not using scaffolding was one of the key cost savings. They are using stackable staging and access platforms instead.