NeWS
In 1999, the US Navy selected Boeing to work on the
AN/BLQ-11, which is primarily designed to survey,
detect, and gather data on underwater threats such as
mines that could pose significant risk to sailors. After
completing its mission, the vehicle homes and docks
with a robotic arm that extends from another of the
host submarine’s torpedo tubes for recovery back
through the launch tube. The system allows operators
to retrieve data from the vehicle and prepare it for
re-launch.
software
e-Learning for
flight deck
HMs Astute has successfully carried out its first firing
trials on schedule, discharging torpedoes and missiles.
controllers
SEA (Group) Ltd in the UK has announced receipt Both weapon types are discharged through the
of a contract to provide the UK Ministry of Defence six torpedo tubes in the bow of Astute, using a high-
Maritime Trainers IPT with a training system pressure water system to eject them. The 1tonne
for Royal Navy Flight Deck Officers and Type 45 weapons surface a few metres from the submarine
Destroyer Flight Deck Controllers. and are recovered for careful checks to ensure they
The system will provide a simulation environment exited cleanly from the tubes.
for students of both ashore and afloat aircraft
marshalling, including models for all major Royal Contract
Navy ship types and a wide variety of helicopters. It
will provide the Royal Navy School of Flight Deck
Navantia signs
Operations with a new level of training capability,
Aussie contracts
enabling it to prepare qualified deck personnel for
operational launch of the Type 45. Navantia and the Australian government have
Commenting on the contract award, Paul Phillips, signed the contract for technology transfer for three
SEA’s defence division managing director said: destroyers for the Royal Australian Navy, based on
‘SEA is already providing e-Learning media for use the Spanish Navy F-100 frigates. The contract also
by the HMS Collingwood Type 45 Training Unit in included technical assistance for the construction at
their courses for onboard maintainers. This contract ASC shipyard in Australia.
represents a new and significant element in our The Australian government has also signed a
provision of innovative training solutions to the contract with Australian shipyard Tenix for the
Royal Navy.’ construction of two amphibious ships for the Royal
Australian Navy, vessels which are similar to the LHD
Testing that Navantia is currently building for the Spanish
Astute completes
Navy.
weapon test
Contract
The UK’s next-generation nuclear-powered attack
Bulgaria corvettes
submarine, HMS Astute, has successfully carried out
for France
its first firing trials on schedule, meeting another
important requirement on the programme. Astute Following his recent meeting with French president
discharged a total of 10 dummy torpedoes and Nicolas Sarkozy, Bulgarian prime minister Sergei
Tomahawk missiles from its torpedo tubes in the dock Stanishev has given the go-ahead for talks on the
at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, completing the procurement of four ‘Gowind’ type corvettes by the
first stage of weapons firing tests. Bulgarian Navy. A French-Bulgarian working group
Astute, which is due to enter service in January was set up to finalise the contract, a process that was
2009, will carry more weapons than any other expected to be completed by the end of 2007.
Royal Navy submarine. Further test firings will take The Gowind corvettes are derived from FREMM
place before Astute leaves Barrow and will continue multi-mission frigates for the French Navy. The
throughout an intensive sea trials and crew training programme will be led by DCNS’s Lorient shipyard
programme, leading up to live test firings which will and will involve extensive cooperation with Bulyard
be carried out on special naval ranges. Shipbuilding Industry (BSI) in Varna. BSI will
8 Warship Technology January 2008
WT Jan - p4+5+6+7+8+9+10.indd 8 08/01/2008 15:36:31
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