Rolls-Royce has secured a significant contract for its Mission Bay Handling System (MBHS) as part of the UK Royal Navy’s Type 26 City-class frigates project. The contract, awarded by BAE Systems Surface Ships Limited, will see Rolls-Royce supplying five MBHS units for the second batch of these advanced Global Combat Ships. This adds to the three systems already ordered for the initial batch, bringing the total to eight MBHS units for the programme.
“This is a huge win for Rolls-Royce in Canada and our team in Peterborough. Our Mission Bay Handling System is perfectly designed for modern naval operations, providing adaptable and flexible integration solutions suitable for a wide range of activities. Rolls-Royce is proud to bring this mission critical capability to the Type 26 programme and is committed to delivering for the UK Royal Navy,” expressed Jessica Banks, Programme Executive – Naval Handling Systems for Rolls-Royce Defence.
The MBHS, developed by Rolls-Royce’s Naval Handling Centre of Excellence in Peterborough, Ontario, represents the cutting edge of naval handling technology. It provides a versatile and integrated solution for the handling and stowing of various cargo types, munitions, and both unmanned and manned offboard craft. With over 35 years of expertise in specialized naval systems, Rolls-Royce is a global leader in this field.
“Having been personally involved in the Mission Bay Handling System aspect of this programme from the beginning, it is a great achievement to get to this point. We have a superb piece of equipment unique to the UK Royal Navy that will significantly strengthen our capability. There has been a lot of effort and collaboration and the network this has brought together has been invaluable. I look forward to the future of installing and working on HMS Glasgow, then handing over to the Navy to prove its full capabilities and functionality,” explained Ian Brown, Defence Equipment and Support, UK Ministry of Defence.
The MBHS will significantly enhance the operational flexibility of the Type 26 frigates, transforming the mission bay into a multi-functional space capable of adapting to a wide range of operational needs. The system’s advanced hydraulic boom is designed to safely deploy and retrieve vessels in challenging sea conditions, ensuring high performance even in sea states up to level 6. This eliminates the need for traditional dockside cranes, providing ship operators with a broad spectrum of capabilities.
The new contract is also expected to have a positive impact on Rolls-Royce’s Canadian operations, with the Peterborough facility set to increase its workforce by 10% to meet the demands of this project. The first complete MBHS unit from this batch is scheduled for delivery later this summer, marking another milestone in Rolls-Royce’s ongoing contributions to the Type 26 frigate program.