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
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How will the Canadian Coast Guard’s transfer to the DND umbrella affect its capabilities?]()
How will the Canadian Coast Guard’s transfer to the DND umbrella affect its capabilities?
By joining the defence department, the coast guard will need to acquire new solutions and adapt its in-service capabilities to ensure interoperability with the Canadian Armed Forces.
-
![UK MoD’s confirmation of MBDA missile for Type 26 points to more European collaboration]()
UK MoD’s confirmation of MBDA missile for Type 26 points to more European collaboration
The Type 26 will also be fitted with the Sea Ceptor vertically launched air defence system that can fire CAMM missiles and a 24-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system that can fire the Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, anti-submarine rockets and long-range anti-ship missiles.
-
![Second Royal Canadian Navy Joint Support Ship is on schedule to be launched mid-2026]()
Second Royal Canadian Navy Joint Support Ship is on schedule to be launched mid-2026
While the first Joint Support Ship is currently in the final stages of outfitting, the second one is on schedule for launching next year.
-
![Is South Korea finally being taken seriously for Western submarine programmes?]()
Is South Korea finally being taken seriously for Western submarine programmes?
South Korean shipbuilders are beginning to make their mark beyond Asia, competing for major North American and European submarine programmes and becoming serious contenders on a global scale.
-
![AUKUS Pillar 2 could narrow focus to “four key areas” says UK official]()
AUKUS Pillar 2 could narrow focus to “four key areas” says UK official
Few concrete ideas have emerged so far on which “advanced capabilities” will be brought forward under Pillar 2 of the AUKUS partnership, but the Pentagon’s review of the programme could bring more clarity.
-
![Sweden’s decision on four new warships inches closer as it eyes UK, France and Spain]()
Sweden’s decision on four new warships inches closer as it eyes UK, France and Spain
Sweden decided last year that it wanted a significantly larger warship for its Luleå Class programme than originally planned, with three likely contenders that could potentially deliver within the country’s tight schedule.
