Feature 2 | UK NAVAL INDUSTRY
includes development of concept designs, Alliance (SSSA), under which warship
creation of detailed installations, analysis dockings and refits are awarded and
of operational data, and development and carried out by Babcock Marine or FSL at
maintenance of safety cases, as well as Portsmouth. All classes of major warship
management of all information needed are worked on across Babcock’s three sites,
to undertake the full range of support up to and including the current aircraft
functions.’ carriers.
Similar support is provided to surface ‘One potential advantage of common
ships via the Design Support Alliance management of multiple waterfront sites
(DSA), involving BAE Systems, VT Group, is the ability to manage any changes in the
Babcock Marine, and FSL, under which MoD programme smoothly, and provide
Babcock supports all the amphibious In terms of design, the new support the workforce capability needed to deliver
capability warships, current Invincible organisation that is Babcock Marine has optimum service and value to the MoD,’
class aircraft carriers and Sandown class one of the largest design capabilities in Bethel pointed out. He added that each site
MCMVs, and a number of specialist craft. Europe, spanning the entire lifecycle of offers vital and unique facilities. Rosyth, for
If systems and information management maritime platforms, from concept design example, offers docking facilities essential to
are critical to effective technical support, through manufacture and support to CVF, while Devonport has unique nuclear
they also have a key role in another aspect eventual disposal. submarine facilities (both sites are currently
of in-service support: material supply, from seeing substantial further investment), and
spare parts to new equipment. Faslane has the infrastructure to support
In an area traditionally dogged by delays, considerably more complex than installing the strategic deterrent.
incorrect supply, and poorly specified items, equipment during the build phase. Importantly, Bethel highlighted that
the application of knowledge and data built According to Bethel, incremental unified management across these sites
up through now-consolidated waterfront installation will take on growing importance provides opportunities for rationalisation
experience and knowledge of the systems, as the DIS vision of spiral development of to eliminate unnecessary duplication
logistics expertise, and asset management capability is realised, coupled with the drive and drive down overheads, ensuring a
skills using the latest techniques and to reduce procurement cycle times. size and infrastructure to support the
systems, can generate significant benefits in ‘The combination of deep technical fleet with maximum efficiency. This has
reducing potential cost escalation, Bethel and design capability with waterfront already begun with the integration of fleet
believes. knowledge puts us in a particularly strong and non-fleet time activities through the
‘The increasing outsourcing of control position to deliver this as a key element of Warship Support Modernisation Initiative
of the materials supply to the in-service in-service support, with an understanding (WSMI). Furthermore, the development
support contractors, and migration to a both of the demands that will be placed on and implementation of lean initiatives in a
more output-based, availability-focused the new platform designs (and the need number of areas of operation, plus various
form of contractual relationships, enables for more modularity, open architecture, moves to maximise asset utilisation (with
this expertise to be capitalised on, and is and so on), and of the installation design measures such as dock sharing between
an area in which the consolidated Babcock and methodology that will enable rapid submarines and warships), reduce energy
Marine organisation can make important insertion, using all opportunities from refits consumption and minimise waste, and
and valuable contribution,’ he explained. to weekends. We have proven expertise in reduce the physical footprint (by as much as
In terms of design, the new support these areas which we can now integrate and 20% at Devonport), are delivering valuable
organisation that is Babcock Marine, with rationalise for optimised delivery,’ he said. savings and efficiencies.
nearly 1000 professional engineers and Interestingly, the formation of Babcock ‘The bringing together of these key
draftsmen, has one of the largest design Marine has also created the largest system players and former competitors into a
capabilities in Europe, spanning the entire testing and commissioning organisation, single entity creates a unique breadth
lifecycle of maritime platforms, from covering everything from setting to work and depth of experience and expertise to
concept design through manufacture and nuclear submarines to complex sonars, and deliver effective, affordable, and sustainable
support to eventual disposal. Importantly, all systems in between. in-service support to the UK fleet,’
Bethel emphasises that this design As for facilities and waterfront Bethel reiterated, adding: ‘It also offers
capability is firmly founded on experience engineering, these are perhaps the most opportunities to contribute as a key player
gained in the critical in-service element of evident areas in which the industrial in the industrial alliances that are central
the lifecycle, with new concepts based on consolidation that has created Babcock to the future shape of the maritime defence
valuable lessons learnt in operation. Marine can deliver unique support sector, and as an alliance partner in future
Further value lies in these design skills capability across its three sites. All the programmes, bringing valuable in-service
being focused on the introduction of UK submarine support facilities are now knowledge to the table that can mould
new military equipment capability into managed by Babcock Marine, which is also thinking at concept design stage to help
existing platforms; a process that is often a key player in the Surface Ship Support minimise through-life costs.’ WT
20 Warship Technology May 2008
WT May 08 - p18+19+20.indd 20 25/04/2008 14:33:27
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