HMS GLASGOW

HMS GLASGOW is on the Horizon

HMS GLASGOW is currently being built for the Royal Navy by BAE Systems on the Clyde in Scotland. She is the first of eight Type 26 City Class Frigates. These next generation anti-submarine frigates, once accepted into service, will replace the current Type 23 Duke Class Frigates.

There are several capabilities which push the Type 26 well beyond those that are currently in service on the Type 23. Much larger vessels (approximately half as big again by displacement as their predecessor at 7,600 tonnes) and this allows for some major capability enhancements with the Type 26. The flight deck is large enough to land a Chinook helicopter. The hanger, with its own crane, can fully maintain both Merlin and Wildcat helicopters. There is also a very large area called the ‘mission bay’. This bay can hold up to 10 x 20ft ISO containers which can also be connected to ships services (power, water, pressurised air). A handling system is installed to both move containers internally and to ‘on and off load’ them via large side doors in the superstructure.These mission specific containers will allow for a highly flexible ship. They will be kept at a central location and can be transported via land, air or sea to a ship that’s already deployed. Examples could include Special Forces support, additional accommodation, specialist communications equipment, workshops, or unmanned vehicles and their controls.

With the ships due to be in service over the next thirty years, there will be many capabilities not yet thought of and technologies not yet invented which can be incorporated in the future.Type 26’s size also allows for a large adaptable ‘missile silo’ in addition to her defensive missile capability. This adaptable silo allows for different types of missile to be fitted depending on the task or threat. The concept being that each type of missile does not need its own launch system; new missiles will just slot into the silo with associated control systems fitted below decks. All this enhanced capability has been possible because HMS GLASGOW is the first fully-digitised ship built for the Royal Navy. It is possible in the design phase to zoom into individual ‘nut and bolt detail’. This huge step forward in HMS GLAGSOW’s adaptive design will allow her to remain a cutting-edge warship on the front line of Britain’s maritime security for many years to come post her acceptance into the Royal Navy in the mid-2020s.

Cdr Philip Burgess RN

Merchant Taylors' Military Affiliations The Merchant Taylors’ Company seeks to provide meaningful moral support for its armed forces service affiliates, by creating within the Company and its schools an awareness of the roles and activities of the affiliates.

40 Commando 40 Commando Royal Marines is a Commando Strike unit of 500 personnel held at high readiness for crisis response

2nd Mine Countermeasures Squadron The 2nd Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCM2) is made up of Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels (MCMVs) who live up to their name by using high definition sonar, they hunt the world’s seabeds for mines and lost explosives which are then destroyed by the Hunt-class ship’s own clearance diving teams or the Sea-fox mine-disposal system.

HMS Heron HMS Heron (Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton) is one of the Royal Navy’s two principal Fleet Air Arm bases and is one of the busiest military airfields in the UK.

Army Air Corps The modern Army Air Corps was formed in 1957 to incorporate the Air Observation Squadrons – crewed by members of the Royal Artillery, and the Light Liaison and Reconnaissance units – operated by the Glider Pilot Regiment.

The London Regiment The London Regiment is the only Army Reserve infantry regiment based entirely in London and recruits within the Greater London area

The Royal Yeomanry The Royal Yeomanry is the senior Armoured Regiment in the Army Reserve. As a Light Cavalry Unit, soldiers are mounted in armoured Land Rovers (RWMIKs) and other reconnaissance vehicles.

RAF Halton Affiliated to No 22 (Training) Group At the outbreak of World War I, Alfred Rothschild immediately offered his land to the war office for use as a military training area.