BAE Systems Unveiled an updated design for its Type 26 Frigate/Global Combat Ship.

The main changes we are able to spot in the new design include:

About Type 26:
BAE Systems' Type 26 - GCS is a multi-role warship designed for joint or multinational contingent operations across the full spectrum of warfare. Delivered in anti-submarine, air defence and general purpose variants, it will be capable of operating independently or as part of a task group.

The Type 26 is the future Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate that will replace the Royal Navy's 13 Type 23 frigates and other ships. The programme has been in development since 1998, initially under the designation "Future Surface Combatant (FSC)". The FSC concept was brought forward in the 2008 budget, at the expense of two Type 45 destroyers being cancelled.

In March 2010, a four year programme was launched to develop the UK Type 26 variant of the Global Combat Ship. The project comprises a joint BAE Systems, Ministry of Defence team, to evaluate capability, availability, exportability and support options leading to the development of a detailed specification for the ship and the design and development of its systems ready for manufacture.

Due to arrive from 2021 onwards with a go/no go decision due in 2013, the Type 26 Frigate will be the workhorse of the future Royal Navy. The ships are intended to replace not just existing Type 23 Frigates but also minehunters and survey ships. The vessels will be among the most versatile ever to sail under the White Ensign, serving as submarine-hunters, general duty warships, survey ships and mother ships for tomorrow’s mine warfare forces. Right now there’s an 80-strong team of naval and civilian engineers working on the designs in Bristol. By the mid-2030s the Type 26 will be the backbone and workhorses of the Royal Navy and should remain in service until the 2060s.