Feature 3 | Weapons handling
design approval with Lloyd’s Register.
artist’s concept
Development of an integrated control
showing
system played a critical role in meeting
maintenance
enhanced operational capability and
work on the
reduced through-life cost requirements.
longitudinal mole.
Key features include unmanned
magazines, with all moles controlled from
a central location (requiring personnel
only where munitions are being prepared
for storage or use); and the system’s
ability to track and maintain records of all
munitions and status, including location,
on a central database. This involves a
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
system at pallet level to ensure payloads
are correctly identified when leaving and
entering the system.
integrated control
Software algorithms enable ready access mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and testing required to demonstrate that the
to the required munitions payloads to pneumatic sub-systems that make up the system meets ACA requirements.
achieve current operational requirements. HMWHS will be undertaken in the UK by As Babcock’s Matt Hatson explained,
The required payload and its destination a number of subcontractors and product the HMWHS overcomes the traditional
are selected by the operator and the control suppliers, with a small amount of specialist problems of ‘first in, last out’ stowage
system identifies movements required to work completed in The Netherlands. The arrangements, providing a flexible, point
gain access and retrieve it. Ordnance can first major elements of equipment, large to point handling system with minimal
also be re-organised, with the control magazine doors, will be delivered by the footprint. “Munitions can be delivered,
system calculating and carrying out the end of 2009 to support the ship build in bulk, to the point of use at rates
necessary moves to achieved the desired programme. that could not be achieved by manual
delivery or stowage arrangement. Installation work will be carried out in handling, and the minimised manpower
Development work using simulation shipyards at Barrow and Rosyth, involving requirement delivers reduced through-
software has been completed, and will teams of around 20 people working on life cost [as well as a saving in onboard
support the production of the final each ship for up to two years. Babcock has living accommodation requirements],” he
software solution commencing this year. been active in working with the shipyards emphasized.
With the CADMID cycle Concept, to support the design integration and build The automated system also negates
Assessment, and Demonstration phases strategies. A joint installation strategy has the need for forklift access aisles and the
completed, manufacture is now underway, been developed using Babcock’s system intelligent control system will facilitate
and the system in-service support package knowledge and ship build experience, access to all storage locations resulting
is being developed with the MoD and to maximise installation and testing in increased stowage flexibility and
Royal Navy. opportunities. Babcock will maintain density, while minimising human error
The majority of the manufacturing responsibility for overall installation and in inventory management, increasing
activity surrounding the various quality of work, as well as performing the reliability of munitions retrieval. To
again quote Rear Admiral Love on
the HMWHS: “Its development and
dynamic
demonstration is an achievement of
demonstration of
which we can be proud.”
elements of the
Furthermore, as Babcock also notes,
hMWhs.
the ability to provide dynamic storage
at sea and move cargo remotely, in bulk,
safely and at volumes less than traditional
large scale ISO containers, has benefits
to offer both commercial and naval
communities, with significant potential
application to provide an integrated
stores support and handling system for
future ships such as Royal Fleet Auxiliary
(RFA) vessels. WT
30 Warship Technology May 2009
p26-27-30_WT_May09.indd 30 16/04/2009 11:24:44
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52