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BAE Systems Maritime - Naval Ships has commenced production of the first of three new River-class Batch 2 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the UK Royal Navy (RN).
First steel for the future HMS Forth was cut at the company's Govan facility in Glasgow, Scotland, on 10 October.
Plans to build the three 90 m ships were first announced in November 2013 as part of a wider restructuring package for the UK naval shipbuilding sector. The OPVs are being built to sustain key industrial capability between the end of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier block build programme and the start of Type 26 Global Combat Ship manufacture later this decade.
A GBP348 million (USD558.5 million) manufacturing contract for the three ships was confirmed in August 2014. This figure includes GBP20 million of long-lead funding released in March 2014 for Category A and B items such as gearboxes and engines.
Designed to be globally deployable and capable of ocean patrols, the 2,000-tonne displacement Batch 2 River-class ships will have a range of about 5,000 n miles and a maximum speed of 24 kt. While based on a proven 90 m platform already in service with the Brazilian and Royal Thai navies, the design has been modified in 29 separate areas to meet specific RN requirements.
These changes include a strengthened flight deck (allowing for the operation of a Merlin helicopter); modified and uprated helicopter in-flight refuelling arrangements; an International Maritime Organization-compliant sewage waste treatment plant; additional accommodation for embarked military detachments; and improved watertight integrity and firefighting provisions to meet Naval Authority standards.
In terms of armament, the vessels will carry a single MSI-Defence Systems 30 mm Automated Small Calibre Gun System (fitted forward) and two Mk 44 mini-guns. BAE Systems is providing a variant of its CMS-1 combat management system (based on the latest shared computing infrastructure), while Terma is supplying its SCANTER 4103 I-band radar as the primary air/surface surveillance sensor.
Other key subcontractors include MAN (diesel engines); Kelvin Hughes (SharpEye navigation radars); Servowatch (integrated bridge system and machinery control); and MES (communications).
Forth is due to begin sea trials in late 2016, with delivery planned for April 2017. The second and third ships - to be named HMS Medway and HMS Trent - are scheduled for delivery in October 2017 and July 2018 respectively. Each ship is being constructed to a 28-month build schedule.
