NEWS
the shipyards to support the design integration and build strategies. A joint installation strategy has been developed using Babcock’s system knowledge and ship build experience, to maximise installation and testing opportunities. Babcock will maintain responsibil- ity for overall installation and quality of work, as well as performing the testing required to demonstrate the system meets ACA requirements. Te system in-service support package is being developed with the Royal Navy.
Aircraft carriers QE carrier takes
shape Workers at BAE Systems in Portsmouth celebrated in January as work began on the second major hull section of HMS Queen Elizabeth, which is being built at its site at Portsmouth Naval Base. A steel cutting ceremony at the company’s facility
marked the official start of production on the stern section, referred to as Lower Block 05. Weighing over 1000tonnes on completion, this
section will house switchboards, air treatment units and the vessel’s steering gear, as well as some accommo- dation areas. Tis latest achievement in the Queen Elizabeth class aircraſt carrier programme follows the start of production on the forward section of the hull, Lower Block 02, which began in February of last year. Steven Carroll, Queen Elizabeth class Project
Director at BAE Systems’ Surface Ships division, said: “Cutting steel on the second section of the hull here in Portsmouth in less than 12 months highlights the tremendous progress we are making on the programme to deliver the nation’s flagships. “Te sheer scale of the hull as it takes shape in six
shipyards across the country is a reminder that this is truly a once-in-a-generation engineering project and we are all extremely proud to be a part of it.” Te Hampshire area is hub of activity on the Queen
Elizabeth class programme. BAE Systems workers at the Naval Base will also build island structures for
the two ships and the pole mast, whilst integration and testing of the ships’ complex mission system is underway at the company’s Maritime Integration and Support Centre on Portsdown Hill. Another team of BAE Systems engineers is testing
the advanced communications systems for the ships. Elsewhere in the region, Southampton-based Kempsafe Limited has contracts to supply galley and laundry equipment on the vessels, and Portsmouth-based Selex Communications is involved in the design of the Identi- fication Friend or Foe system. Tis picture is replicated nationwide, with work underway at six shipyards across the UK employing 8000 people on the QE class programme and thousands more across the supply chain.
Repair & conversion Pyeroy wins Type
23 refit contracts Pyeroy Limited has been awarded a series of support contracts by Babcock worth more than £2 million (US$3.2 million) to provide a range of services for the major refit of the Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate HMS Kent over the next 11 months at the Rosyth Royal Dockyard. Te work will see Pyeroy’s Marine Division providing scaffolding access, containment, painting, insulation and cleaning services at the Rosyth Dockyard facility based in East Scotland, where the 133m long vessel, displac- ing 4900tonnes, has entered one of the large dry-docks to begin her refit. Tis is being undertaken for the main refit contrac-
tor and dockyard operator, Babcock, and is an essential part of a maintenance programme that will improve the physical coatings throughout the ship as well as all her weapon and machinery systems allowing HMS Kent to re-enter the fleet in a year’s time as a fully capable Royal Navy warship. Tis latest set of contracts follows on from a similar
series of work packages carried out by Pyeroy on her sister Type 23 frigate, HMS Argyll, which underwent a major refit at Rosyth Royal Dockyard from September 2009 through to July 2010. Te services were an essential part of a multi-million
pound maintenance programme to enable the frigate to remain in service for at least another five years, continu- ing to carry out a number of roles including counter- piracy and counter-terrorism in the Gulf. A re-dedication ceremony marking HMS Argyll’s
A key component of the HMWHS for the new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers has successfully completed factory acceptance testing.
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return to the operational front line aſter the £20 million upgrade was held at Devonport Naval Base in December last year. Pyeroy’s site-based team at Rosyth blasted and re-painted the warship’s hull, upper decks and superstructure. A special new protective coating has also been applied below the waterline to prevent the build up of fouling, thereby minimising resistance, improving speed and making the ship more fuel efficient.
Warship Technology March 2011
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