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.
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