View source for XV Patrick Blackett (X01)

{{WPAttribution}}
'''XV ''Patrick Blackett'' (X01)''' is an experimental ship used by the [[Royal Navy]] as a [[testbed]] for new technologies, including [[unmanned underwater vehicle]]s and [[unmanned surface vehicle]]s. Her namesake is [[Patrick Blackett]], a Royal Navy veteran and [[Nobel Prize]]-winning British physicist.<ref name="telegraph1">{{cite news |last1=Corfield |first1=Gareth |title=Royal Navy gets sandbox warship to test sea drones and robot submarines |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/07/29/royal-navy-gets-sandbox-warship-test-sea-drones-robot-submarines/ |access-date=29 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Telegraph]] |date=29 July 2022}}</ref>

==Construction==
On 3 December 2021, the Ministry of Defence published a tender seeking a ship that could be used by the Royal Navy's NavyX division for the testing and development of autonomous systems. The tender outlined a requirement for a ship that had already been built, with no previous owner, a displacement of no more than 500 tonnes, a length of at least 48 metres, a capability to reach 20 knots and deck space for at least two [[Twenty-foot equivalent unit|TEU containers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ship for Trials and Autonomy Development |url=https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030162-2021?origin=SearchResults&p=1 |website=GOV.UK |access-date=30 July 2022}}</ref> In January 2021, the MOD downselected a [[Damen Group|Damen]]-built FCS 4008 and a contract for it was signed in the following month. In March, ownership of the vessel was transferred to the Royal Navy, and in April, work began to adapt the vessel at Damen's shipyard facility in the [[Netherlands]]. Much of the work involved the conversion of passenger and cargo space into a briefing room, office and workshop. Upon completion, the ship's procurement amounted to less than £7 million.<ref name="NL1">{{cite news |title=Royal Navy takes delivery of new experimental vessel |url=https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-takes-delivery-of-new-experimental-vessel/ |access-date=30 July 2022 |work=NavyLookout |date=27 July 2022}}</ref>

==Characteristics==
''Patrick Blackett'' is an adapted Fast Crew Supplier 4008 (FCS 4008), designed and built by Damen Group. She is painted matte black, rather than the Royal Navy's standard Pusser's Grey, complete with NavyX insignia on both sides of the hull. Her pennant, X01, is also uniquely highlighted in gloss paint and large QR codes are painted to either side of her superstructure, allowing smartphone users to scan them and view NavyX content.<ref name="NL1"/> ''Patrick Blackett'' is crewed by five Royal Navy personnel but there is accommodation for up to 12. Her hull form is designed to cut through waves and remain stable and, as such, she has an [[axe bow]], less forward buoyancy and a long, tapered hull. Her aft wooden working deck has a capacity of up to 100 tonnes, securing points for two TEU containers, along with electrical power and cooling water supplies. A knuckle-boom crane also allows for the embarkation of stores up to around 4 tonnes or a small craft over the side.<ref name="NL1"/><ref name="TD1">{{cite news |last1=Parken |first1=Oliver |title=Royal Navy Christens New Experimental Ship, The XV Patrick Blackett |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/royal-navy-christens-new-experimental-ship-the-xv-patrick-blackett |access-date=30 July 2022 |work=The Drive |date=29 July 2022}}</ref> She is capable of speeds in excess of 20 knots, with a range in excess of {{convert|3000|nmi|km|lk=in|-3}} at 20 knots. She is driven by four [[Caterpillar C32|Caterpillar C32 Acert]] diesel engines and electrical power is provided by two 99 kW generators.<ref name="engines">{{cite news |title=Debut for UK Royal Navy's new experimental vessel |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/debut-for-uk-royal-navys-new-experimental-vessel |access-date=1 August 2022 |work=[[Jane's Information Group]] |date=29 July 2022}}</ref> She is also equipped with a 120 kW hydraulically-driven bow thruster, which allows her to berth and unberth unaided.<ref name="NL1"/><ref name="TD1"/>

''Patrick Blackett'' will be used as a testbed by NavyX, a division of the Royal Navy tasked with fielding new and innovative technologies, particularly autonomous systems and artificial intelligence.<ref name="TD1"/>

==Design==

The vessel is based on a design from the [[Damen Group]], Dutch shipbuilders, for a [[Fast Crew Supplier]], the [[FCS 4008]].<ref name=Damen2022-07-28/><ref name=DamenFcs4008/><ref name=portalstoczniowyPatrickBlackett/>  Like the [[Damen Stan Patrol 3007]], [[Damen Stan Patrol 3307]], and [[Damen Stan Patrol 5009]], she was designed with an [[axe bow]], which provides for less disoriently vertical motion in big waves.  In addition to her bridge deck she has two additional decks.  Her lower deck houses four of her five staterooms, and her mess, and galley.  Her upper deck has large rooms which could accommodate meeting rooms, or racks of equipment.

<ref name=DamenFcs4008/>

==Operational history==
''Patrick Blackett'' entered [[HMNB Portsmouth]] for the first time on 27 July 2022, ahead of her christening ceremony which took place on 29 July 2022 with Commander Samuel Nightingale assigned as her First Commanding Officer.<ref name="TD1"/> During her christening ceremony, a glass bottle of champagne was smashed against her hull by a robotic dog. Unlike other ships of the Royal Navy, ''Patrick Blackett'' is not a commissioned ship and will instead fly the [[Blue Ensign]], denoting government ownership. Once in active service, the ship will have a routine crew of five Royal Navy personnel and will participate in Royal Navy and NATO exercises.<ref name="TD1"/>

==References==
{{Reflist|refs= 
<ref name=Damen2022-07-28>
{{cite news      
| url         = https://www.damen.com/insights-center/news/damen-wins-tender-to-supply-support-vessel-for-uk-royal-navy
| title       = Damen Shipyards wins tender to supply high performance support vessel for Royal Navy’s NavyX innovation team
| work        = [[Damen Group]]
| author      = Robin Middel
| date        = 2022-07-28
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<ref name=DamenFcs4008>
{{cite news     
| url         = https://media.damen.com/image/upload/v1630993369/catalogue/offshore/fcs/damen-fcs-4008/product-sheet-fcs-4008.pdf
| title       = Fast Crew Supplier 4008
| work        = [[Damen Group]]
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<ref name=portalstoczniowyPatrickBlackett>
{{cite news
| url         = https://portalstoczniowy.pl/royal-navy-odebrala-nowa-jednostke-doswiadczalna-%EF%BF%BC/
| title       = Royal Navy odebrała nową jednostkę doświadczalną 
| work        = 

| date        = 3 sierpnia, 2022
}}
</ref>
}}

[[Category:Experimental ships]]
[[Category:Auxiliary ships of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:2022 ships]]