SOUTHAMPTON was confirmed as a centre for hi-tech naval expertise when a revolutionary warship was launched.

On Saturday the £13-million experimental test-bed RV Triton slid down the slipway at the Woolston shipyard of Vosper Thorny-croft, heralding a great leap forward in ship design.

Unlike conventional warships which have a single hull, RV Triton has three, making the vessel more stable and able to maintain high speeds in demanding sea conditions.

Experts believe the vessel is one of the most important advances in modern warship technology in recent years, which is set to rewrite the rules for naval construction.

VT chief executive Martin Jay said: "The launch of RV Triton could become a defining moment in ship design.''

If the ship is a success, the firm may be in line for a series of lucrative orders from the Royal Navy. The 1,100-tonne RV Triton has already caused a wave of interest from navies worldwide, especially America.

RV Triton is the biggest seagoing trimaran afloat and will now undergo an 18-month programme of sea trials as she is evaluated as a potential replacement for the Royal Navy's present Type 22 and Type 23 frigates.

"Vosper Thornycroft's involvement in this project reflects our worldwide reputation for being at the forefront of naval ship technology,'' said Mr Jay. "This is the most exciting innovation for many years and the experience we have gained in building the vessel is invaluable.

"We are confident that the trimaran hull form is the way ahead and RV Triton will be a new alternative for both naval and commercial applications.''

It has taken just under 18 months for VT to construct RV Triton using mega-blocks, each weighing up to 200 tons, which were fabricated and fully fitted out before being put into place in the huge undercover construction sheds at Woolston.

Guests watched as Lady Chisholm, the wife of Sir John Chisholm, chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency which contracted VT to build the ship, named and launched the vessel.

The trimaran can already boast of many firsts even before the vessel is officially handed over to the Royal Navy in August.

A VT spokesman said: "The 300 sensor points fitted to record the stresses and strains when she is operational were working at the launch, giving technical experts a fascinating insight into the forces that a hull form endures when it enters the water for the first time.''

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