BMT completes successfully trials for High-Speed Patrol Craft HMS Cutlass.

According to a press release published by BMT on November 15, 2021, the company alongside Marine Specialised Technology Group (MST Group), announce that HMS CUTLASS, the first of two vessels being built for the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron, has undergone initial trials and has performed beyond expectations.
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A model of HPB-1900 High-Speed Patrol Craft (Picture source: Twitter account of MST Group)

Over recent weeks, the new HPB-1900 has been subjected to rigorous trials to test all systems and performance against a demanding set of requirements specified by the Royal Navy.

The latest speed trials showed that HMS CUTLASS is not only meeting the speed requirements but is surpassing them. The vessel is powered by three Volvo D13 engines, each producing 1000 HP and driving triple MJP 350X Waterjets and features unparalleled levels of innovation and technology.

The design of the hull form offers great seakeeping characteristics and combined with Humphree stabilization fins for the most extreme sea states is designed for performance even in the most demanding conditions. Operational efficiency is provided by the integrated CGI OpenSea360 bridge system and enhanced situational awareness equipment.

HMS CUTLASS, and the forthcoming HMS DAGGER which is expected to be delivered in Q4 2022/Q1 2023, will be essential assets for the maritime defense and security of Gibraltar and its surrounding waters. Both vessels are a major step forward in capability for the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron.

Alongside the RNPL Project, the MST Group is also working in conjunction with BMT on the HPB-1500 Police Patrol Craft being built for the UK Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) and Gibraltar Defence Police (GDP). These vessels will join MST’s growing range of well-proven High-Speed Patrol Craft which now range from 10.5m up to 23.0m in length.

The Gibraltar Squadron is a unit of the British Royal Navy. It is the only seagoing Royal Naval unit based in Gibraltar, attached to British Forces Gibraltar. In 2020 its two 16 m (52 ft 6 in) patrol ships HMS Scimitar and HMS Sabre were replaced by two Archer class boats, HMS Pursuer and HMS Dasher.

These vessels are, in turn, being replaced by two new Cutlass-class fast patrol boats with a maximum speed of up to 40-knots.