Anschütz: FAT completed for Royal Navy’s Type 31 bridge systems

Anschütz, a Germany-based specialist in naval navigation and systems integration, has completed the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of its Warship Integrated Navigation and Bridge System (WINBS) for the Royal Navy’s first Type 31 Inspiration Class ship.

Anschütz, as part of the Thales-led T31 Missions Systems team, is delivering the first Integrated Bridge and Navigation System for the Babcock Type 31 Arrowhead 140 frigates in 2024.

The FAT was carried out by Anschuetz UK, which is responsible for the integration, testing and commissioning of the Type 31 WINBS.

It took place at their new integration and testing facilities at Portsdown Technology Park end of 2023.

“We are proud to supply the UK Royal Navy with an extremely reliable and advanced integrated bridge system,” Glen Cheadle, Managing Director at Anschuetz UK, said.

“As we now equip all of the Royal Navy’s major newbuild projects, we aim to provide our valued customers with high efficiency in through-life support, service and upgrades to the fleet.”

The first Type 31 frigate HMS Venturer is planned to be launched in the first half of 2024. In September 2023, Babcock International laid the keel for the second Type 31 unit.

Anschuetz UK provides comprehensive logistical and technical support to our UK-based naval customers. It has invested in a modern and well-equipped new site to provide local support to the Royal Navy fleet in the future.

The WINBS designed for the Type 31 Arrowhead 140 features the latest integrated navigation and bridge system technology for warships. It comprises system solutions for integrated navigation, tactical navigation and mission systems, naval radars, automatic and manual steering control systems, communication systems and a full suite of navigational and tactical sensors.

Using synergies in logistics and operations, the Type 31 WINBS expands on the core Type 26 bridge system design and provides advanced navigational and tactical capabilities engineered within Anschütz’s open architecture bridge system framework.