Feature 8 | SUBMARINE PROPULSION
Planning milestone achieved for Vengeance
Planning for the fourth and last Vanguard class Long Overhaul Period and Refuel (LOP(R)), to be undertaken by Babcock at Devonport Royal Dockyard on HMS Vengeance, recently reached an important milestone.
full work package requirement, for the three-and-a-half-year, multi-million pound refit. Te work scope will include fitting Vengeance with the latest reactor core, as used in the new Astute class submarines, fuelling the submarine for life, and a number of updates and upgrades to her tactical and strategic weapons systems, as well as surveys, hull and structure preservation and overhaul of all the submarine’s major components, systems and equipment. The work includes some first-of-
T
class fits, with the intention to install main static converters to replace the high maintenance motor generators for essential electrical power conversion, a significant package of work to upgrade the propulsion system instrumentation, and a possible upgrade to tactical combat systems. Overall
the programme will
involve over two million man-hours and around 2000 personnel. Building on lessons learnt from
previous Vanguard class LOP(R)s, a number of components in systems such as hydraulic systems, pressurised gas systems and trim, bilge and ballast system valves and pipework will be removed and overhauled without requiring initial survey or test, saving time and enabling advance planning. Te LOP(R) will also feature an increase
in constructive surveys of the submarine’s hull to ensure it is in good condition for on-going life, made possible by the latest non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques such as Time of Flight Diffraction (ToFD) and corrosion mapping using phased array ultrasonics technology. Using this technology enables more
detail to be gained than has previously been possible, while reducing the level of
Warship Technology January 2012
he milestone was reached with the recent submission of the tender, following identification of the
The LOP(R) on Vengeance will see the submarine fitted with the latest reactor core; Vigilant, shown here, is due to complete her LOP next year.
radiography (and therefore radiological hazard) involved. The contracting agreement between
Babcock and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to undertake the LOP(R) on Vengeance will reflect the ground-breaking arrangement established on Vigilant, with a focus on joint working and fully embedded partnering, greater transparency of information including financial data, cost-reduction while improving safety and quality standards, and incentives to achieve or better the agreed schedule. Further work to be undertaken in the remainder of
the planning phase
for the Vengeance LOP(R) will include negotiations with the MoD to reach final agreement on contracted scope, price and programme.
Teams will continue to plan in detail
their respective areas of the project, such as preparation of test forms, nuclear procedures and other documentation, issue of detailed third level schedules and individual scheduling of every work element. As well as planning activities, teams will be carrying out maintenance around the 9 Dock facility at Devonport to ensure the facility and its equipment is fit for purpose. Te planning phase is being undertaken
by a joint team involving Babcock, the MoD (DE&S), and Rolls-Royce, each leading in their fields of expertise. Tis combined team ensures efficient use of resources and builds an effective team ready to undertake the LOP(R), which will start next year as HMS Vigilant leaves Devonport on completion of her LOP(R). WT
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