Think IEP would be totally over the top for T83 as expect the cost premium may easily be 100% for the IEP propulsion kit over cost of conventional propulsion with mechanical drive, IEP/Hybrid propulsion can be easily justified for an ASW frigate for its ability to silence the ship. Also with IEP/Hybrid expect you loose approx 10% from converting the power from the engine via the generators, drives and motors to the propeller, whereas with mechanical propulsion losses from gearbox only approx 1.5% . That gives the option to the T83 designers for numerous trade offs, to increase range or ability to install better sensors/weapons eg more powerful/heavier radars/fit more Mk41 VLS cells for more missiles etc. Not to say IEP/Hybrid propulsion brings advantages but not needed for an AAW destroyer.tomuk wrote: ↑12 May 2022, 01:33Lots of research has been done by MOD, GE and Rolls Royce. DC or at least a a hybrid DC/AC configuration was considered for T45 but the technology wasn't mature. Unfortunately due to the problems with T45 the MOD has gone back to basics with T26 and we have ended up with a simplified T23 arrangement.
It would be highly unlikely for such a large change to made to any future T26 batches. Now T83 would be a different matter and it would fitting for the T45 replacement to have a DC IEP system as postulated in concepts years prior to T45.
In the case of the F126 frigates I don't believe it is a full IEP system anyway and they will retain a gearbox with direct drive for high speed cruising.
Re the German F126 is a multi-function frigate including ASW with towed array system for anti-submarine warfare, so requires the extra cost of a silent Hybrid propulsion system, whereas if the T83 is a dedicated AAW destroyer as the T45 the ASW requirement near non-existent and ASW is left to the T26.