Proposed Fleet Solid Support Ships

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Refining the Fleet Solid Support ship design

The three companies comprising Team Resolute all recently unveiled models of the Fleet Solid Support ships while BMT provided some insight into the ongoing design process.

On the drawing board
Since the contract for FSS was signed in January 2023 work has continued to develop the platform. The majority of the main features had been defined pre-contract and the size of ship decided but the really detailed design work has yet to commence. As the naval architects for the Team Resolute bid, BMT could draw on their recent experience contributing to the design of the QEC aircraft carriers, the Tide class tankers and the Type 31 frigates. When the MoD revised its specification for FSS and restarted the competition in May 2021 it still presented a very challenging requirement. It was left to the design teams to maximise the capability within the given budget and make trade-offs provided certain key user requirements were
met.

Continues at - https://www.navylookout.com/refining-th ... ip-design/

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Navy Lookout
G.E. Vernova to equip the Fleet Solid Support ships with hybrid-electric propulsion technology.
GE will design and manufacture Active Front-End (AFE) power converters and Power Take-Off/Power Take-In (PTI/PTO) hybrid electric induction motor-generators. Contract also includes integration, test & commissioning and logistic support.
See - https://www.ge.com/news/press-releases/ ... technology

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Harland & Wolff

We are delighted to share a key milestone in the recapitalisation of our Belfast yard with first steel now erected.

Belfast has a long shipbuilding history, and this £77m investment ahead of delivering the FSS programme will enable the site to continue designing, building, and maintaining technologically cutting-edge vessels for years to come.

The improvements will give us the ability to take on larger projects at an accelerated pace, using the latest manufacturing technologies, requiring skilled people that will be trained to the highest standard.

This investment is underpinning the transformation of the yard and will not only support FSS delivery but embed the latest technology across the group to increase our competitiveness in the European market and win new orders across our five markets of defence, commercial, energy, renewables and cruise and ferry.

Reminder https://www.navylookout.com/refining-th ... ip-design/

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Building of new Fleet Solid Support Ship to start next year

The Ministry of Defence is gearing up for the production of the first Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship, set to begin in 2025.
In response to an inquiry from Maria Eagle MP, Shadow Minister for Defence, JAMES Cartlidge MP provided an update on the progress of the FSS project.

Maria Eagle MP:

“To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the Fleet Solid Support Ship project.”

James Cartlidge MP:

“The production of the first Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship is expected to begin in 2025. Progress continues on design work, mobilisation of the supply chain and recapitalisation of the facilities at Harland & Wolff.”

In November 2022, the Ministry of Defence signed a £1.6 billion manufacturing contract with Team Resolute.

The design proposed by Team Resolute features a vessel approximately 216 meters long, equipped with modern replenishment rigs and extensive cargo space. It also includes hangars for two Merlin helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The first of the ships is expected to enter service by 2031, with subsequent vessels following into 2032.

Source UKDJ

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HENSOLDT UK to equip Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ships

Delivering radars, air traffic management & integrated bridge systems

https://www.hensoldt.net/news/hensoldt- ... ary-ships/

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Progress on Fleet Solid Support Ships

In a series of written questions to the Ministry of Defence, Maria Eagle MP and Kevan Jones MP inquired about the progress and UK involvement in the construction of Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships.

Maria Eagle asked how many and what proportion of subcontracts for the FSS ships have been awarded to UK businesses, and about recent discussions with Team Resolute regarding the target of including a minimum of 60% UK content.

She also queried the response times for previous questions tabled by herself and Kevan Jones. Additionally, the Shadow Defence Minister sought details on the proportion of the FSS programme that will be manufactured using UK components and the involvement of the UK workforce.

This ship type is designed to supply solids (otherwise known as dry stores), such as ammunition, explosives and food, to Royal Navy ships at sea.

James Cartlidge, the Minister of State for Defence, provided comprehensive updates on the programme. He stated that
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/progres ... ort-ships/

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Navy Lookout
Good to see Harland Wolf fplc at #CNE2024 Reports of their difficulties have been greatly exaggerated @thetimes https://x.com/thetimes
Workforce generation and facilities development for the Fleet Solid Support ship programme are on track and they are ready to cut first steel in March 2025 as contracted.
Civilian business at their 4 shipyards is thriving and the financial position is healthy.