Thales has successfully completed factory acceptance testing (FAT) for both the TACTICOS mission system and the combat management system intended for the Royal Navy’s new Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates. The mission system FAT wrapped up at the end of April 2025, followed by the successful conclusion of the combat management system FAT at the end of June 2025.
With these crucial factory activities now finalized, the program is set to progress to land-based testing at the Shore Integration Facility before the systems are installed on HMS Venturer, the first of five Type 31 frigates currently under construction by Babcock at its facility in Rosyth, Scotland. Paul Watson, Managing Director for Arrowhead Frigates at Babcock, described the successful completion of the FAT testing as a significant milestone for the Type 31 program and praised the collaboration between Thales and their industrial partners. “Together, we are delivering world-class capabilities to the Royal Navy and creating a solid foundation for the future Inspiration-class frigates,” he mentioned.
The combat management system functions as the main command and decision-making hub aboard naval vessels, managing sensor control, compiling situational data, assessing threat levels, providing action support, and controlling armaments across all mission types. Initially conceived in the early 1990s, TACTICOS has undergone continuous upgrades to meet shifting mission demands, ensuring integration with a broad array of sensors and weapon systems at both the ship and task group levels.
A significant advancement in the TACTICOS system has been its transition to a certified open architecture. This development allows for the hosting of third-party applications and facilitates the quick integration of new features and updates. Additionally, the design of the operations room is both smart and ergonomic, capable of displaying all key function data on a single screen and converting information from various integrated naval systems into actionable insights.
The Type 31 program is pivotal in providing the Royal Navy with a new class of general-purpose frigates, intended to replace the aging Type 23 vessels that have been operational since the 1980s. Ships within this program are built based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, which has attracted interest from international navies, including those of Indonesia and Poland. Each Type 31 vessel measures 139 meters (456 feet) in length, features a 20-meter (66-foot) beam, and has a displacement ranging from 5,700 to 7,000 tons (12,540 to 15,400 pounds). The design allows for the accommodation of more than 180 crew members while supporting various platforms, including maritime helicopters such as the Merlin or Wildcat, rigid-hull inflatable boats, and an unmanned aerial system.
The Type 31 fleet is projected to enter service by 2030, with the first frigate expected to be delivered between 2027 and 2028, marking a significant upgrade in the Royal Navy’s operational capabilities.
