The 90 metre OPV is based on a proven BAE Systems
design which is already in service with the Brazilian Navy and Royal
Thai Navy. Engineers at BAE Systems have modified the design, ensuring
it meets the requirements of the Royal Navy in support of UK interests
both at home and abroad.
The vessels will include a modified flight deck capable
of operating the latest Merlin helicopters, larger stores and more
accommodation for embarked troops. They will also be the first ships
to be built with a BAE Systems designed, new state-of-the-art operating
system called Shared Infrastructure, which will be rolled out across
the Royal Navy’s surface fleet over the next ten years. Shared
Infrastructure revolutionises the way ships operate by using virtual
technologies to host and integrate the sensors, weapons and management
systems that complex warships require. By replacing multiple large
consoles dedicated to specific tasks with a single hardware solution,
the amount of spares which are required to be carried onboard is reduced,
significantly decreasing through-life costs.
The manufacturing contract for the three ships was
announced in August. The OPVs will be globally deployable and capable
of ocean patrol with a range of 5,000 nautical miles and a maximum
speed of 24 knots. The first of class is expected to be delivered
to the Royal Navy in 2017.
