Damen Shipyards, Hamburg Ship Model Basin to Conduct Hydrodynamic Tests on Models of Germany’s F126 Frigates Our Bureau 605 F126 (MKS 180) frigate Damen Shipyards Group and the Hamburg Ship Model Basin have concluded a contract for an extensive series of model tests for the hydrodynamic development of the F126 frigates for the German Navy. The contract covers comprehensive cooperation relating to hydrodynamic optimisation and the execution of an extensive series of model tests for the new 126-class (F126) frigates. The optimisation work and the tests constitute part of the early development stage during the ship design phase. As part of this process, the properties of the planned ship will be tested under real-life conditions. As such, a true-to-scale model of the F126, measuring several metres long, will be seen for the first time.