UK-based ship design and systems engineering group BMT has unveiled a new iteration of its ELLIDA amphibious/logistic ship family matched to the UK’s projected Multi-Role Strike Ship (MRSS) requirement.
Known as ELLIDA STRIKE, this latest design evolution has been developed to align with the Royal Navy’s (RN’s) future amphibious fleet recapitalisation,” said BMT. A model of the 213 meter concept design was presented by the company at DSEI 2025 in London together with CGI showing the platform in operation.
The acquisition of a new class of up to six MRSS vessels is planned to replace the now decommissioned landing platform dock ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, three Bay-class landing ship dock (auxiliary) vessels operated by the civilian manned Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), and the RFA-crewed littoral strike platform RFA Argus. An initial three ships are funded, with entry into service planned from the early 2030s.
While the definitive requirements set for MRSS has still to emerge, the RN has declared an ambition for a versatile, flexible and modular amphibious ship class to support dispersed, forward-deployed commando forces, and exploit advances in offboard systems/autonomy. As well as littoral strike operations, the MRSS is also intended to support missions such as humanitarian relief, medical support, and logistics.
According to Tim Nield, BMT’s Head of Business Development – UK & Europe, the ELLIDA STRIKE design has been developed as a ‘capability statement’ to reflect these aims. “This concept represents a capability-led approach to design – showcasing what’s possible and demonstrating that BMT has both the expertise and the openness to partner as requirements mature,” he said. “As the Royal Navy continues to shape its requirements, we stand ready to adapt and evolve our design to meet the needs of tomorrow’s operations.”
“This ship is configured to be able to deliver surface and aviation surface-to-objective manoeuvre. While not the finished answer, it’s a foundation for collaboration.”
Tim Nield, BMT’s Head of Business Development
Designed from the keel up to reflect naval standards, ELLIDA STRIKE is configured for modularity and flexibility, enabling rapid reconfiguration for mission-specific roles such as medical support, command and control, or logistics through containerised PODS. It also incorporates a strike-length MK 41 vertical launch system forward able to integrate both long-range precision strike missiles and self-defence missiles, plus small-calibre guns and laser directed energy weapons for close-in defence.
“It’s a warship, not a support ship,” said Nield. “So it’s designed to survive and fight in high-end conflict.”
He continued: “Its multi-role deck, and mission bays for containerised PODS – for the up to Role 2+ medical capability, and a myriad of command and control facilities – speak volumes for the headroom that is in this design. Account has also been taken of real-world operability, rapid personnel flow and human factors efficiency.”
The ELLIDA STRIKE concept includes accommodation for an embarked military force of over 600 commandos, plus a multirole deck with approximately 700 lane metres of space. This can be subdivided for different missions or purpose – for example, some areas to accommodate medical facilities, others for the storage of vehicles.
ELLIDA STRIKE will host a core command and control capability, including a large dedicated operations space and a mission planning area. Additional C2 modules can be hosted on the weather deck or below in the multirole deck.
Much attention has been paid to air and surface manoeuvre. Aviation facilities provide for the operation and support of both crewed and uncrewed rotary-wing aircraft. The flight deck is sized for the concurrent operation of two CH-47 size rotorcraft, while the hangar can accommodate up to four Merlin-sized helicopters or a mix of crewed and uncrewed air systems.
A well dock facilitates efficient launch and recovery of landing craft and autonomous vessels. Additional craft can be stowed in boat bays located port and starboard.
BMT began work on ELLIDA STRIKE last year. According to Andy Kimber, BMT’s chief naval architect, the design philosophy has sought to demonstrate how modern design principles can address complex operational requirements across missions ranging from humanitarian aid to high-end warfighting. “This is the next evolution of the ELLIDA family that we’ve been working on for the past five or six years,” he said. “It’s our interpretation of how the amphibious vessel moves from the traditional model of putting large numbers of troops over the beach, into a more modern platform that is about delivery smaller strike teams at a greater distance, and also providing greater flexibility in what that platform does.”
Kimber highlights three key design drivers. “First, unlike previous RN amphibious ships, which were traditionally either aviation. or surface focused, MRSS is going to do both the sea and air connections, and it is going to have to do that at range and in numbers. So we’re trying to incorporate large landing craft and large helicopters in one platform design, and make it efficient to be able to operate both.”
Another consideration is the accommodation and readiness of the embarked force. Instead of relatively short transits to an objective area, said Kimber, ELLIDA STRIKE was designed with the assumption that marines could remain on board for extended periods. “Also, the expectation is that the ‘strike’ will occur in smaller packages rather than putting the whole force ashore in one go. That has implications for the standard of accommodation required for the embarked force, and the ability to keep that force fighting fit.”
The third driver, he added, was flexibility and autonomy. “We can’t design a ship around a single mission or payload. So we need to have that intrinsic flexibility to enable role change.”
“And autonomy is going to be a big part of that. The ship will carry autonomous systems, regardless of whether it’s being used for strike, mine hunting support, or command and control.”
BMT cautions that ELLIDA STRIKE, in its current form, is not necessarily the ship it will offer to the RN for MRSS. “What we have been doing is listening to what the navy has been saying about the way it wants to deliver capability in the future, and particularly how the [Commando Force] is going to change their way of working in the future,” Nield said.
“So ELLIDA STRIKE is a vehicle by which we’ve explored a whole range of aspects within a singular platform. So it has helped us to understand the features and characteristics that are going to be important in the MRSS when we fully understand those requirements.”
