Northumberland to receive significant upgrades and improvements
Te UK Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland is to receive a number of upgrades and improvements that will significantly increase the ship’s sustainability and fighting capability.
undertaken by Babcock at its Devonport Royal Dockyard facility. Te project got under way in March. A key feature of the project, which was awarded under the Surface Ship Support Alliance – the alliance between the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Babcock, and BAE Systems, will be close and effective partnering between Babcock and the MoD. Already Babcock has been working
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closely with the MoD to develop the work specification, taking into account lessons learnt from recent Type 23 upkeep periods. Tis has enabled much of the traditional project growth work to be included in the work specification from the start, for optimum efficiency in planning and execution. Among the 13 upgrades to be
undertaken Northumberland will receive the new DNA (2) Command System, which is central to its capability against air, surface and underwater threats. A comprehensive programme integrating all existing weapons, sonar and radar systems will be carried out during the commissioning phase of this upgrade.
Information sharing Further upgrades include installation of the Defence Information Infrastructure (Future) (DII (F)), enabling information sharing and collaborative working across the Armed Forces and MoD; the SeaWolf mid-life update (SWMLU) comprising tracking, guidance and weapon management upgrades to counter evolving anti-ship missile threats; and installation of the new automatic small-calibre gun (ASCG). Other elements of the upgrade include NATO radial filters to protect fresh air
Warship Technology May 2011
orthumberland will undergo a complex and tightly scheduled nine-month refit that will be
supplies from contamination in the event of an incident; and replacement of the incident detection Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Incident Surveillance System (NBCDISS) with a new sophisticated, digital system including fire and flood detection and door and hatch status indication. A galley equipment upgrade will also be undertaken, ensuring the services areas are in the optimum condition to support the ship.
Mechanical upgrades Mechanical upgrades include the high-pressure air system (to provide a safe, reliable and flexible method of isolation across the HP air ring main, without needing to drain the whole system
during periods of maintenance or repair), and modification to the underwater inlets and outlets. These upgrades will be undertaken
alongside a full programme of deep maintenance, including replacement of the Sonar 2050 dome and array, replacement of port and starboard shaſts, and replacement of the port main propulsion gear wheel (involving removal and replacement of a large quantity of equipment, pipe work, and cables as well as the 10tonne gear wheel), plus a full structural survey of the ship and large paint preservation package. HMS Northumberland will rejoin the
fleet on completion of her sea trials in December of this year. WT
HMS Lancaster to get new lease of life
The Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate, HMS Lancaster, is undergoing an extensive refit at Portsmouth Naval Base as part of a £17.9 million (US$28.8 million) contract with BAE Systems.
The mid-life upkeep will significantly upgrade the capability of the 20-year old frigate to ensure she is ready to fulfil future operational commitments. The 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. This 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. This 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 shafts and propellers.
The 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. The project is expected to complete in March 2012, with HMS Lancaster set to return to the operational fleet later that month.
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