General Naval Topics

[Pelican]

BMT develop second generation ELLIDA multi-role and logistic vessel concept

In 2019 British naval architecture consultancy, BMT announced their ELLIDA Multi-Role Support Ship design. Here we look at the new iteration of this concept developed in anticipation of the RN’s MRSS requirements and for other potential export customers.
BMT describe ELLIDA as “a tailorable array of scalable ship designs, developed to explore the complex needs of modern littoral operations”. Similar to the Damen Enforcer series, the ship is available in different size variants of 130m, 150m, 180m or 200m.

The original ELLIDA included RAS rigs to issue fuel to other ships. This capability has been removed from the second generation vessel but this is still primarily a logistics ship with considerable capacity to carry and transfer solid stores. The centre of the ship has two open deck areas with flexible space for either vehicles, containers or equipment. There is also deck space forward for TEU containers together with cranes for self-loading or unloading in port. One specific option that could be embarked on the internal deck is a containerised hospital replicating the Primary Casualty Reception Ship (PCRS) facility carried of RFA Argus.

BMT are also offering potential customers ELLIDA Future, a package of design technologies that leverage research into efficient hull forms and propulsion systems, greater use of automation for reduced crewing and utilising autonomous craft for littoral operations.

Continues at - https://www.navylookout.com/bmt-develop ... l-concept/

[Pelican]

Babcockplc awarded a 3-year contract worth £17.9 million to continue providing maintenance support for RN's Phalanx Close-In Weapon Support System (CIWS).

Babcock has provided Phalanx in-service support since 2006 from its facility in Devonport.
Photo at - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 70/photo/1

Huge Royal Navy warship gun deal signed by Babcock
https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/p ... un-8869115 - LFT

[Pelican]

Ministry of Defence Defence HQ

130 personnel, 13 vessels, uncrewed aircraft and more than 50 cameras were involved in one of the largest maritime AI trials, led by dstl mod.
The data will enable the development of new Defence AI products ethically, safely, and responsibly.

See - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/beac ... pabilities
And - https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/17 ... 2221906292 - for photos.

[Pelican]

Ministry of Defence Defence HQ

It is crucial that we continue to invest in the power of AI.

At RNAS Yeovilton Defence Minister j cartlidge mp explored new artificially intelligent defence tools, including software that could solve military engineering problems in seconds.

See - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ai-s ... pabilities
And - https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/17 ... 6066280607 - for photos.

[Brian James]

Chilean Protected Cruiser Esmeralda pictured at the opening of the Albert Edward Dock (left) on the Tyne at Newcastle in 1884..Armstrong Mitchell's Elswick Shipyards can be seen on the opposite bank...To meet the need for facilities for goods coming into the River Tyne and to increase the coal shipping facilities on the north side of the river, a dock was commenced in the late 1870s at Coble Dene near North Shields. The Coble Dene dock was commenced, under the direction of P J Messent, engineer to the Tyne Improvement Commission and completed in 1883. The dock was formally opened in 1884 by the Prince and Princess of Wales and renamed the Albert Edward Dock in honour of the Prince's visit. It covered an area of 22.25 acres and could accommodate ships drawing up to 25 feet and 400-450 feet long. It had 20 steam and hydraulic cranes, with Warehousing and Timber yards. The entrance to the dock was via 2 locks powered by hydraulics through an accumulator tower. These systems were supplied by Sir W. G. Armstrong Whitworth's Elswick Works.

[Brian James]

The Hamilton Graving Dock at Harland & Wolff Shipyard, Belfast pictured c1890.

[Brian James]

RMS Columba pictured in Govan No 3 Graving Dock in May 1898, the dock was opened by the Clyde Navigation Trust in 1898 and was 800 feet long and 83 feet wide.