HMS Medway completes maiden sea trials
The Royal Navy’s HMS Medway has successfully completed its maiden sea trials in the Firth of Clyde, the navy announced on 11 December.
During the 15-day trial, the vessel’s engines, manoeuvrability, sensors and main cannon were tested by a mixed civilian/Royal Navy crew. Throughout the trial period, all onboard systems were evaluated including the integrated platform management system, which controls and monitors most of the ship’s systems; and the combat management system, which is used to collate sensor information and assist command team decision making.
The ship's automated small calibre gun, the 30mm cannon on the forecastle, accurately fired rounds at an inflatable target and the off-ship fire monitors tested correctly.
The ship is the second of five 2,000t new Batch 2 River-class vessels built by BAE Systems.
Medway is now back in Scotstoun, where the vessel is undergoing a final period of planned maintenance, as well as processing and analysing results from the trials to meet criteria which will allow it to be accepted by the Royal Navy. The vessel will sail to Portsmouth, its future home, in 2019.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Maritime defence in the Mediterranean faces challenges from vulnerable land power]()
Maritime defence in the Mediterranean faces challenges from vulnerable land power
As an indispensable energy crossroads, the Mediterranean is at serious risk from grey zone disruption. As navies increasingly employ AI data centres, what happens when cutting-edge defence technologies rely on the very infrastructure most susceptible to hybrid tactics?
-
![US Navy to conduct an experimentation campaign with emerging tech in 2026 and 2027]()
US Navy to conduct an experimentation campaign with emerging tech in 2026 and 2027
The Technology Operational Experimentation Events will inform future requirements as the US Navy looks for innovative solutions across three key operational domains.
-
![Future Canadian Continental Defence Corvette will provide “Halifax-equivalent capabilities”]()
Future Canadian Continental Defence Corvette will provide “Halifax-equivalent capabilities”
Although the CDC project is still in its early stages, the Canadian Department of National Defence already has some requirements for the future platforms.
-
![US Navy to acquire micro-uncrewed underwater vehicles for ISR and coastal data collection]()
US Navy to acquire micro-uncrewed underwater vehicles for ISR and coastal data collection
The Naval Supply Systems Command is seeking authorised resellers of JaiaBot uncrewed underwater vehicles and multivehicle pods. The platforms will support undergraduate education at the US Naval Academy.
-
![NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios]()
NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios
As part of its effort to better prepare its capabilities for operations in contested and congested scenarios, NATO evaluated a Lithuanian ship-to-ship terminal designed to not be susceptible to enemy interference.
