The frigate 126 floats

The construction contract for the Class 126 was signed with Damen just a few weeks ago. The first tests have now been carried out on the model of the frigate in the test channel.

Immediately following the parliamentary referral on 17 June 2020, the Class 126 frigate project reached the most important milestone in its realisation to date: the conclusion of the construction contract with Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding on 19 June 2020. In the first year after the contract was concluded, the so-called simulation phase was completed, which focused on eliminating scope for interpretation in the construction specification. In addition, further work was started as part of basic engineering, including the layout of the rooms in the ship and its design. The highlight of the simulation phase so far has been the performance of towing tests, which were used to validate the design calculations and minimise risks, for example in achieving the guaranteed minimum maximum speed of 26 knots.
In April 2021, Damen Schelde therefore concluded a contract with the Hamburg Shipbuilding Research Institute (HSVA) for the extensive model test campaign for the hydrodynamic optimisation of the F 126.