News
Refit Company news
Vigilant begins Anglo-Italian
four-year refit shipyard alliance
Vanguard class ballistic nuclear submarine (SSBN) An Anglo-Italian alliance has been formed to
HMS Vigilant has arrived at Devonport Royal pursue a major UK naval auxiliary shipbuilding
Dockyard for the start of her Long Overhaul Period contract. The alliance, between Italian shipbuilding
(Refuel) [LOP(R)]. The work will be undertaken by giant Fincantieri, and Northwestern Shiprepairers
Babcock Marine under contract to the UK Ministry and Shipbuilders Ltd (NSL), based in the famous
of Defence. Cammell Laird shipyard on Merseyside, was
HMS Vigilant is the third Vanguard class submarine announced at the opening day of the Euronaval
to undergo a LOP(R) at Devonport in a project exhibition in Paris.
that represents five years of activity (including the NSL is a shiprepair, conversion and military
planning phase) and around £350 million (US$538.1 support specialist and a prime contractor to the Royal
million) to return the vessel to the fleet capable of Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) service.
fulfilling her role well into the 21st Century. The alliance will enhance support to Fincantieri
The submarine was due to dock down in December in pursuit of the tender to build six fleet replenish-
2008, and will remain in dry dock until flood up in ment tankers for UK Ministry of Defence programme
2011, with completion scheduled for 2012. known as the MARS project.
The MARS project is an international competi-
Propulsion tion being managed under EU guidelines and
Ge LM2500+ gas
Fincantieri was recently short-listed along with
three other prominent international shipbuilders.
turbines for LHA 6
If successful in winning the MARS contract, this
will maintain substantial employment in Italy and
GE Marine has confirmed that its LM2500+ marine the UK.
aero-derivative gas turbine has been selected by
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) to power Upgrade
the US Navy’s new LHA 6 amphibious assault ship.
“The selection of the LM2500+ gas turbines offers
Fincantieri refit for
propulsion commonality for this first-in-class ship
Kenyan FACs
with the US Navy’s existing LHD 8 amphibious
assault ship currently under construction at NGSB. Fincantieri in Italy has secured an order from the
The LHD 8 was the first US Navy ship to use this Ministry of the Defence of Kenya to carry out a
hybrid propulsion system configuration, and was mid-life refit of two of the Fast Attack Craft (FACs)
the first military application of the LM2500+ gas Nyayo and Umoja.
turbine,” said Brien Bolsinger, general manager, GE The contract will involve 12 months of work at the
Marine, Evendale, Ohio. company’s yard in Muggiano.
The LHA 6 ship’s hybrid mechanical-electric Nyayo and Umoja were built by Vosper Thornycroft
propulsion system will consist of two LM2500+ gas (now VT Group) in the UK and delivered in 1988.
turbines, each rated at 35,290shp at US Navy standard They are currently the only two vessels in operation
day conditions (100oF), and two, 5000hp auxiliary with the Kenyan Navy.
propulsion motors. The LM2500+ gas turbines will
be manufactured at GE’s Evendale facility. Acquisition
The hybrid propulsion system enables the ship’s
propellers to be driven either by the gas turbines or
sT Marine lands
by the electric motors, which are powered from the
LPD design & build
ship service electrical system. This propulsion system
allows the ship to operate in a more fuel efficient Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd (ST Marine)
mode throughout its speed range. has secured a contract to design and build a 141m
The LHA 6 – the first ship in the US Navy’s LHA(R) Landing Platform Dock (LPD), two 23m Landing
programme – will be able to operate and support Craft Mechanised (LCM) and two 13m Landing Craft
a detachment of more than 20 Joint Strike Fighter Vehicle and Personnel (LCVP).
aircraft. The LHA 6 also have an enlarged hangar deck, The contract, for an as yet unspecified navy,
realigned and expanded aviation maintenance facilities, amounts to around S$200 million. Construction
a significant increase in stowage for parts and support is scheduled to begin in mid-2009 and delivery is
equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity. planned for the second half of 2012. WT
Warship Technology January 2009 11
WT_Jan09_p6+7+8+10+
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