Babcock floats Irish OPV
Babcock has floated the future LÉ George Bernard Shaw, the fourth offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Irish Naval Service, the company announced on 6 April.
The vessel, which is currently under construction at shipbuilder's Appledore facility in North Devon, was floated out within the main build hall and then moved out into the River Torridge at high tide to complete work at the tidal wharf.
The 90m, 2256t vessel will have a top speed of 23kt and a range of 6,000 miles at its cruise speed of 15kt. The patrol vessel will have a comprehensive command, control and communications package along with a 76mm gun as its main weapon.
The vessel will be able to accommodate 44 crew and have an additional ten trainee berths.
George Bernard Shaw is due to complete in July 2018 and will support both protection and humanitarian activities.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How the UK Royal Navy is powering up its hybrid fleet to combat new threats]()
How the UK Royal Navy is powering up its hybrid fleet to combat new threats
Since it announced its move towards a new “hybrid navy” earlier this year, the force has announced a number of new uncrewed technologies in the works.
-
![US and UK to begin Trident II D5 Increment 8 in October 2026]()
US and UK to begin Trident II D5 Increment 8 in October 2026
Trident II D5 Increment 8 will involve improvements to the shipboard navigation subsystem for the US Ohio and Columbia and the UK Dreadnought and Vanguard submarine classes.
-
![US Navy starts acquisition process for uncrewed maritime systems for support missions]()
US Navy starts acquisition process for uncrewed maritime systems for support missions
The USN is interested in uncrewed capabilities that can carry out explosive ordnance disposal, mine countermeasures, force protection, ISR and anti-submarine missions.
-
![HMS Agamemnon: details of the dive and what the Astute-class signifies for the UK Royal Navy]()
HMS Agamemnon: details of the dive and what the Astute-class signifies for the UK Royal Navy
As HMS Agamemnon moves closer towards joining the UK’s in-service submarine fleet, how does the sixth Astute-class fit into the Royal Navy’s defence strategy?
-
![French Navy frigates to align with Hellenic Navy after Aster missile enhancement]()
French Navy frigates to align with Hellenic Navy after Aster missile enhancement
The FDI frigates will have an enhanced warfare capability that matches the configuration of ships ordered by Greece.
