HMS Medway completes maiden sea trials
The Royal Navy’s HMS Medway has successfully completed its maiden sea trials in the Firth of Clyde, the navy announced on 11 December.
During the 15-day trial, the vessel’s engines, manoeuvrability, sensors and main cannon were tested by a mixed civilian/Royal Navy crew. Throughout the trial period, all onboard systems were evaluated including the integrated platform management system, which controls and monitors most of the ship’s systems; and the combat management system, which is used to collate sensor information and assist command team decision making.
The ship's automated small calibre gun, the 30mm cannon on the forecastle, accurately fired rounds at an inflatable target and the off-ship fire monitors tested correctly.
The ship is the second of five 2,000t new Batch 2 River-class vessels built by BAE Systems.
Medway is now back in Scotstoun, where the vessel is undergoing a final period of planned maintenance, as well as processing and analysing results from the trials to meet criteria which will allow it to be accepted by the Royal Navy. The vessel will sail to Portsmouth, its future home, in 2019.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
RTX Raytheon advances with the development of new Barracuda mine neutraliser
The new Barracuda version has been engineered to perform enhanced subsea and seabed warfare missions.
-
US Coast Guard to receive the largest single acquisition funding in its history
The nearly $25 billion investment will cover USCG procurement of cutters, aircraft, helicopters, training simulators and Polar capabilities over the next four years.
-
US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
-
US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
-
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.