NEWS In January 2007, IHC EB delivered the PLARS for
NSRS, which forms a vital part of this high-specification emergency response system. Te system was designed, manufactured, assembled and tested in 29 months at IHC EB facilities in the North East of England. Since its delivery, the system has been mobilised on a
number of vessels, both commercial charters and those from the partner organisations, such as the Norwegian Coastguard. Te regular exercises have proven the ability to deploy by air and mobilise in less than the specified 18 hours. Tey have also provided vital opportunities to practise and train the mobilisation teams and system operators, whilst working up effective operating practices for the real event. Te Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV), manufactured
by Perry Slingsby Systems Ltd, has been launched and recovered from the sea many times, with dives to mate with underwater practice targets and a number of actual submarines. Troughout this period IHC EB has been an active member of the operational team, providing both technical and on site support. Achieving Full Operational Capability is the result of
a concerted effort by the UK, French and Norwegian Navies, industry and a dedicated NSRS team. IHC EB received the initial formal enquiry from Rolls-Royce back in 2003.
Coast Guard vessels Bollinger launches
first FRC Bollinger Shipyards in the US recently launched the first of the US Coast Guard’s ‘Sentinel’ Fast Response Cutters (FRCs), Bernard C Webber, from its Lockport facility. Te announcement was made by Bollinger executive
vice-president of new construction, Chris Bollinger: “We are pleased to announce the successful launch of the lead Sentinel class FRC,” he said. “Tis is the first of a new generation of multi-mission patrol boats for the US Coast Guard, which will vastly improve their ability to perform their duties.” Te Sentinel class cutter is 154ſt-long and is capable
of speeds in excess of 28knots. Te vessels will be armed with one stabilised remotely operated 25mm chain gun and four crew-served .50-calibre machineguns. The cutters will be able to operate independently for five days at sea, accommodating a crew of 23 members. A state-of-the-market command, control,
communications, computer, intelligence, surveil- lance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) system will be fully interoperable with other Coast Guard assets as well as those of the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. Te cutters will also have a 40knot rigid inflatable boat (RIB) which can be rapidly deployed using an innovative stern launching system that was first presented to the Coast
14
Guard by Bollinger aboard the 87ſt Marine Protector class cutters. Te Sentinel FRC design is based on the Damen Stan
Patrol 4708 patrol boat, and the project expertise from the Coast Guard’s highly successful 87ſt Coastal Patrol Boat project, also built by Bollinger. Te Sentinel class will be able to conduct missions,
such as ports, waterways and coastal security, fishery patrols, drug and illegal migrant law enforcement, search and rescue, and national defence operations. Bernard C Webber will be home-ported in Miami,
Florida, supporting law enforcement and national security missions throughout the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.
Repair & conversion HMS Lancaster gets
new lease of life Te Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster is undergoing an extensive refit at Portsmouth Naval Base as part of a £17.9 million contract with BAE Systems, reflecting the company’s continued growth in support services. Te mid-life upkeep will significantly upgrade the
capability of the 20 year-old frigate to ensure she is ready to fulfil future operational commitments. Te work includes upgrades to the ship’s Seawolf guided missile system, command system, communications and the installation of a small-calibre 30mm gun system, which can be remotely operated. Tis will boost her air defence capability, improve the ship’s situational awareness and make it easier to enable future systems upgrades as operational requirements evolve. A significant amount of work will also be undertaken
on the ship’s hull as well as its power and propulsion machinery. Tis includes a new coating of underwater paint, which will deliver greater operational efficiency and reduced fuel consumption, refurbishment of her diesel generators and replacement of shaſts and propellers. Te project team conducted extensive surveys of the
ship and her systems prior to the start of work in order to optimise planning and preparations for the refit. Te project is expected to complete in March 2012, with HMS Lancaster set to return to the operational fleet later that month. Working side by side with the Royal Navy at
Portsmouth Naval Base, through a partnering relation- ship known as Team Portsmouth, the Company provides support to naval base infrastructure as well as the surface fleet. In particular, BAE Systems coordinates all aspects of repair, maintenance and support for the Hunt class vessels and Type 45 destroyers, helping to maximise ship availability and reduce through-life costs, ensuring the Royal Navy has the support it needs whenever and wherever it needs it.WT
Warship Technology July/August 2011
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