A ship quiet enough to hunt submarines

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The Royal Navy is working with BAE Systems and GE Marine on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship, designed to undertake a variety of maritime missions ranging from complex combat operations to counter piracy as well as humanitarian and disaster relief.

Eight Type 26s will replace the eight Type 23 anti-submarine frigates currently in service. The Royal Navy says the vessels will be able to operate independently “for significant periods, or as a part of a British of coalition task group.” BAE Systems has recently announced that the first three ships will use advanced electric propulsion motors and drive systems developed by GE Marine. GE has deployed a team of noise and vibration specialists using special 3D modelling software to map the acoustic dynamics of the ship’s electric motors. The team claim to have designed an electric propulsion system that is quiet but also powerful. It is said the system will allow the ship give the ship to hunt submarines more effectively without being detected. The ships will use the electric motors for patrolling and cruising at lower speeds. They will draw electricity from diesel generators, but the ships will also have a gas turbine for sprinting at high speeds. Of course, the ships will have more than just motors. They will come equipped with sophisticated missiles, radar and weaponry including the Sea Ceptor Naval Air Defence System and a Wildcat helicopter and be capable of hosting a variety of unmanned aerial, surface and underwater vehicles. Manufacturing of the ships is slated to begin by the end of 2016 with the first Type 26 delivered in 2022.

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