Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate to use half the crew of the Type 23 and embrace automation
The Type 31 frigate has been built with the human factor in mind. (Image: Royal Navy/Crown copyright)
The Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate is incorporating automation, reduced crew requirements and enhanced living conditions into its design as the force attempts to meet modern operational demands.
Navies the world over are facing a trinity of issues: recruiting suitably qualified sailors; equipping larger, more effective ships with smaller crews; and, following the experiences of Covid-19, creating warships suitable for potential long-term living.
At last month’s Surface Warships conference in London, one expert speaker explained how the Royal Navy (RN) was tackling those challenges with radical, novel design and build features in its Inspiration-class Type 31 frigate.
The five-vessel Type 31 class was envisaged as a general purpose vessel to balance the RN’s frigate fleet, including the ageing Duke-class Type 23 and the significantly more high-end anti-submarine war machines
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![EU SEACURE programme seeks autonomous solutions to evolving underwater threats]()
EU SEACURE programme seeks autonomous solutions to evolving underwater threats
The EU and leading defence firms are collaborating on improving autonomous seabed warfare capabilities.
-
![Anduril awarded $642 million counter-drone contract with US Marine Corps]()
Anduril awarded $642 million counter-drone contract with US Marine Corps
The contract will see counter-small uncrewed aerial systems (CsUAS) installed at bases, with the initial contract covering site survey and engineering services as well as some system procurement. Work is expected to be completed over the next ten years.
-
![Indra proposes “Internet of Underwater Things” as possible next step in naval warfare]()
Indra proposes “Internet of Underwater Things” as possible next step in naval warfare
A new concept of underwater warfare could be needed to take naval defence to its next evolution.
