Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Contains threads on Royal Navy equipment of the past, present and future.

What will be the result of the 'Lighter Frigate' programme?

Programme cancelled, RN down to 14 escorts
52
10%
Programme cancelled & replaced with GP T26
14
3%
A number of heavy OPVs spun as "frigates"
127
25%
An LCS-like modular ship
22
4%
A modernised Type 23
24
5%
A Type 26-lite
71
14%
Less than 5 hulls
22
4%
5 hulls
71
14%
More than 5 hulls
103
20%
 
Total votes: 506

Ron5
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by Ron5 »

Get rid of fucking drumbeats. Wastes money. Build as economically as possible.

Poiuytrewq
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by Poiuytrewq »

Ron5 wrote:Wastes money….
Depends on the speed of the drumbeat :D

Ron5
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by Ron5 »

Poiuytrewq wrote:
Ron5 wrote:Wastes money….
Depends on the speed of the drumbeat :D
To me "drumbeat"" implies a steady state of delivery with ships delivered every x months from beginning of class to the end. It precludes any acceleration of delivery due to increased efficiently as the yard navigates the learning curve and implements efficiency upgrades.

That directly opposes every other industry as products are delivered faster and faster as lines mature. The customer benefits with lower prices.

So no.

But the good news is that the T31 program is not being delivered with a "drumbeat" as far as I know.

Poiuytrewq
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by Poiuytrewq »

Ron5 wrote:But the good news is that the T31 program is not being delivered with a "drumbeat" as far as I know.
It seems very little thought has gone into timescales and drumbeats if the T31(e) actually ever achieved export success. This is confirmed by DS announcing the T32 would follow the T31. Zero consideration given to export builds within the timeline or amending timelines to construct export frigates.

Bizarre really considering how the programme started.

SD67
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by SD67 »

I’m not sure that’s right. Dates I’ve seen are T31 first five in the water by 2028. Given that T32 is in the pre-concept phase it’s unlikely to be in build by then. I reckon there’s about 5 ships worth of spare capacity there,

dmereifield
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by dmereifield »

Tempest414 wrote:Only that babcocks built a new shed so BAe seems to think it should
So providing BAE with some "competition" is working then :thumbup:

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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

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Jensy
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by Jensy »

Small post, regarding the new Rosyth shipbuilding hall.

Back in 2020, when planning permission was sought the building was to measure 60m x 160m. However, since the first steel was cut, the length has been reported as only 147m.

Google Earth have just updated their imagery for Rosyth and it is indeed only 147m long. Width appears the same.

No impact on Type 31 itself but will limit the length of future ships/blocks that can be built under cover and away from the Fife climate.

Scimitar54
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by Scimitar54 »

Plenty of space for a possible extension !

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SKB
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by SKB »

Jensy wrote: 24 Nov 2021, 18:37 Small post, regarding the new Rosyth shipbuilding hall.

Back in 2020, when planning permission was sought the building was to measure 60m x 160m. However, since the first steel was cut, the length has been reported as only 147m.

Google Earth have just updated their imagery for Rosyth and it is indeed only 147m long. Width appears the same.

No impact on Type 31 itself but will limit the length of future ships/blocks that can be built under cover and away from the Fife climate.
Confirmed! Nice spot, Jensy :thumbup:

Rosyth....
147m long
Rosyth T31 shed.jpg
60m wide
Rosyth T31 shed2.jpg

Portsmouth.
200m long
Portsmouth shed length.jpg
60m wide
Portsmouth shed width.jpg
Note the conveniently positioned T45 (152m long) for scale!
:lol: :clap:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

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Jensy
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by Jensy »

@SKB you need to start a Portsmouth independence movement if you want your frigate factory back!

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SKB
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by SKB »

Jensy wrote:you need to start a Portsmouth independence movement
No way. Docker Hughes tried that once. :mrgreen:
Martyn "Docker" Hughes is now a local legend of Portsmouth.

"Docker" as Marty Hughes was known, was born in 1954 and was a Pompey fan who had connections with its infamous 6:57 Crew hooligan gang. He was a diminitive man of only 5'2" tall, had piercing blue eyes and was a man of few words. He was known as "Docker" after working in Portsmouth dockyard for 13 years but lost his job due to defence cuts and spent most of his money on going to football and spending the rest in betting on horse racing. He liked going to snooker halls and also got involved in some illegal prize fighting too.

At the age of 33, fed of up the police and authorities, Docker was put forward by the 6:57 to run for the Portsmouth South constituency MP in 1987 as a joke aimed at the establishment. Docker signed his nomination as candidate in a Corals betting shop in Portsmouth city centre and paid for his £500 election deposit with money won in horse race betting.

Docker and his 6:57 Party had some bizarre policies, some which revolved around his love of horse racing (he was often seen carrying a rolled-up Sporting Life) and a loathing of authority and all things S**th*mpt*n. Docker's policies included wanting to expel the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, (he disliked 'skates', as did many of Portsmouth's civilians), to take the city of Portsmouth completely out of the county of Hampshire (because Hampshire is actually short for "Southamptonshire"), having an independent police force and a requirement for all serving magistrates to have done some time in prison.

He also wanted to build a Group One horse racing course on Portsmouth's Southsea Common, to get rid of off-course betting tax, to save the UK's ugliest building The Tricorn Centre in Portsmouth from demolition (but bulldozed in 2004) and have a duty free shop aboard the Gosport Ferry which crosses Portsmouth Harbour! Mullet hairstyles and moustaches were also to be banned.

After two recounts in the 1987 election, Docker lost his £500 election deposit after collecting only 455 votes, which he later admitted was "pathetic", then got characteristcally drunk. The SDP party (old LibDems) were furious with Docker's party as his 455 votes could have given the SDP the votes they needed to retain Portsmouth South, as they had lost the seat to the Conservatives by only 205 votes!

Docker died of natural causes in 1992, aged only 38. He was an epileptic and was on medication. In his memory, an annual memorial horse race has been (almost) run every year, with the most recent being TODAY!


wargame_insomniac
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by wargame_insomniac »

SKB wrote: 25 Nov 2021, 16:31
Jensy wrote:you need to start a Portsmouth independence movement
No way. Docker Hughes tried that once. :mrgreen:
Marty "Docker" Hughes is now a local legend of Portsmouth. Docker, born in 1954, was a Pompey fan and had connections with its infamous 6:57 Crew hooligan gang.

At the age of 33, Docker ran for Portsmouth South constituency MP in 1987, sponsored by the 6:57 and he had some bizarre policies, mostly done as a joke to put one up at the establishment, but some which revolved around his love of horse racing and loathing of authority and S**th*mpt*n.

Docker's policies included expelling the Royal Navy from Portsmouth (he hated 'skates'), taking the city of Portsmouth completely out of the county of Hampshire (because Hampshire is actually short for "S**th*mpt*nshire") and having an independent police force and a requirement for all magistrates to have served time in prison.

He also wanted to build a Group One level horse racing course on Portsmouth's Southsea Common, to save the UK's ugliest building The Tricorn Centre in Portsmouth from demolition (bulldozed in 2004) and also have a duty free shop put aboard the Gosport Ferry that crosses Portsmouth Harbour! :mrgreen:

Shockingly, Docker lost his election deposit in the 1987 election, collecting only 455 votes. He later died in 1992, aged only 38. In his memory, an annual memorial horse race has been (almost) run every year, with the most recent being TODAY!

Four of my formative years were spent catching the Gosport Ferry to school. I used to love standing on the top deck and seeing any RN ships in the Harbour. Only thing better was when we visted the Harbour properly with sea cadets from HMS Collingwood.

bobp
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by bobp »

The Frigate factory at Rosyth is ready to start T31...


Scimitar54
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by Scimitar54 »

How did he not know that First Steel had already been cut ? He should have known!

Ron5
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by Ron5 »

Also from George/Babcock's ..

Image
Image

Scimitar54
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by Scimitar54 »

Maybe …… Bob’s your Uncle ?

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Jensy
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by Jensy »

Ron5 wrote: 30 Nov 2021, 17:20 Also from George/Babcock's ..

Image
I particularly like the "Delivering Inspiration" slogan.... Aside from the obvious it seems like a rather cheeky swipe at...

Image

Also seen a mention today of Babcock increasing their workforce at Rosyth by 500.

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RichardIC
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by RichardIC »

Babcock marks completion of new Rosyth assembly hall with recruitment drive

30 November 2021

Babcock, the defence, security and aerospace company, has unveiled plans to recruit 500 workers for its Type 31 frigate programme as the build of its new state-of-the-art assembly hall, The Venturer Building is completed at its Rosyth site.

The announcement was made as Douglas Chapman MP, employees, industry representatives, local school children and trade unions gathered to witness the commemorative ‘topping out’ ceremony at the new facility.

The event included a demonstration of two 125 tonne gantry cranes, which will be used to assemble the frigates, with local schoolchildren adding the final touches to the facility by helping to plant bulbs and shrubs around its perimeter.

Measuring an impressive 147m x 62m x 42m, The Venturer Building will initially be used for the assembly of the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates, providing a facility that can support UK and international shipbuilding activity for decades to come. As the Type 31 programme continues, the fully covered hall will house two frigates for uninterrupted, parallel assembly and will support increased productivity gains through improved access to the platforms and digital connectivity.

The initial recruitment drive to support the programme will include a variety of trades including welders, fabricators and mechanical and electrical fitters as well as production support operatives. The announcement sees the 500 new roles contribute towards the direct workforce which will peak at the height of the programme at around 1250 people across the UK and will support a similar number in the extended supply chain.

Further opportunities will include operations production management, quality and planning.

Will Erith, Chief Executive of Babcock Marine said:

“We are delighted to mark St. Andrew’s Day by celebrating the completion of The Venturer Building which builds on our exceptional heritage in Scotland, delivering a very real step change in capacity and capability for modern UK shipbuilding.

“From the start of this programme we’ve been focussing on prosperity, supporting both the UK and local economies and so it is great we are also announcing 500 new roles on the same day who will directly support the Type 31 programme.”

“I would like to thank everyone involved in the construction of this fantastic building and especially our contractors Robertson Construction. This moment demonstrates further progress in the Type 31 programme and adds to the significant investment over the last decade at our facilities in Rosyth; bringing advancements and efficiencies into manufacturing, build and assembly processes.

This event follows the first steel cut for the Type 31 Frigate Programme and naming ceremony of the Venturer Building held in September.

Image

https://emailmarketing.babcockinternati ... swnlklt-d/

Ron5
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by Ron5 »

A tad concerning that the ships will be built mostly by folk that haven't been hired yet.

SD67
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by SD67 »

Maybe they're taking the fresh apples from the tree rather than the rotten ones in the barrel ;-)

With the North Sea winding down there's a good opportunity to recruit skilled people in the east of Scotland

Ron5
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by Ron5 »

SD67 wrote: 03 Dec 2021, 08:44 Maybe they're taking the fresh apples from the tree rather than the rotten ones in the barrel ;-)

With the North Sea winding down there's a good opportunity to recruit skilled people in the east of Scotland
Hope so. Keep the bloody unions out of it too.

SD67
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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by SD67 »

Yep. Babcock are known to be pretty hardline on industrial relations and the unions have been getting arsey with them for a couple of years because they’re not a soft touch like someone else

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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by bobp »

Good article on the 40mm gun for the T31.....

https://www.navylookout.com/in-focus-th ... -frigates/

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Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Post by Lord Jim »

Very good article and explains how effective the Mk4 can be if used with 3P ammunition. I am surprised that no mention of this has been made by the Royal Navy so far given how the ships are due into service in a few years time. It being far more capable than the current 30mm mount used by the RN should also make it a possibility to increase the firepower of other vessels from OPVs to RFAs, being able to act as a CIWS is needed but being generally far more flexible than both the 30mm and 20mm Phalanx. A a large "Gunboat" the T-31 will do this role very well and certainly deter many from using number of small fast vessels to attack any ships being escorted by the Ship. But without additional capabilities ir an increase in existing ones the T-31 will be a bit of a niche platform.

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