Feature 4 | AMPHIBIOUS SHIPS


Bulwark returns to fleet on-time, in-budget


Te UK Royal Navy’s amphibious landing ship HMS Bulwark returned to the fleet in February aſter successfully completing sea trials following an 11-month support period, delivered on-time and in-budget.


HMS Bulwark is back in service having completed an 11-month support period.


T


he upgrade and maintenance programme was undertaken by Babcock at Devonport Royal


Dockyard. Tis was the ship’s first docking since being formally commissioned into the Royal Navy in April 2005 and the project team successfully met a number of significant challenges, including the severe adverse weather conditions, to keep the programme on schedule. The £30 million (US$48.3 million)


support period, a contract awarded under the Surface Ship Support Alliance, the alliance between the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Babcock and BAE Systems, benefited from application of knowledge and experience gained on sister vessel HMS Albion, as a result of which a number of initiatives and improvements were introduced, and from close partnering between the MoD and Babcock including co-located and integrated project teams. This approach enabled efficiency and


Warship Technology May 2011


cost-effectiveness to be maximised throughout the docking period, to deliver optimum value for money and return Bulwark to the fleet on-schedule. Te 450,000 man-hour support period


involved the overhaul of 1625 items of equipment, manufacture of 1557 items, and shipping of 398tonnes of equipment on and off the ship. Two hundred and fiſtteen hull valves have been removed and replaced; 93 tanks opened, cleaned and surveyed; 21miles of electrical cable installed; and 8000litres of paint applied to the ship’s outer bottom. HMS Bulwark now has improved


aviation facilities (the flight deck has the capacity to operate two heavy-liſt Chinook helicopters simultaneously) and upgrades to the well dock, including full tactical night-vision capability by her landing craſt and aircraſt. Extensive improvements have also been


carried out to the living quarters for the ship’s 380 sailors and marines, including bunk


spaces, toilets, bathrooms and recreational areas, plus refurbishment of the main galley, laundry and commissariat. Further, the ship’s communications has been enhanced,


equipment


high-pressure salt water, drainage and sewage systems improved, and main propulsion system upgraded. Also included have been improvements to the machinery and magazine spaces, IT network capability, and defensive weapons upgrades, as well as replacement of the ship’s outer bottom anti-fouling paint with the new ultra-sleek system improving fuel efficiency and speed through the water. “A number of challenges have been


addressed during the support period, including the addition of 16 alterations and additions during the project, and was completed within the same timeframe as Albion despite an additional 70,000 man-hours involved,” said Babcock’s project manager Mike Weeks. WT


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