Babcock has recently received the full contract to deliver its
weapon handling and launch system (WHLS) for the fifth Astute class
submarine new generation nuclear powered attack (SSN) submarine.
The system is the first on a UK Royal Navy submarine to use
Babcock's advanced air turbine pump and programmable firing valve
technology, with a number of important advantages.
Babcock has designed and supplied the WHLS for the first four
Astute class boats (Astute, Ambush, Artful and Audacious) under
earlier contracts. The latest contract for WHLS equipment for boat
5 follows an earlier contract for the long-lead items, and is
accompanied by a long-lead items contract for boat 6.
The Astute class WHLS comprises more than 20,000 components, it
is capable of carrying more torpedoes and tube-launched missiles
than any previous class of RN submarine, and is smaller, quieter,
and more flexible, optimising firing profiles for the range of
weapon types that the system can carry.
The handling system comprises equipment to embark, store,
reposition and load weapons into the torpedo tubes. Configuration
of the weapons within the Weapon Stowage Compartment (WSC) has been
carefully developed, resulting in the highest packing density of
weapons in the stowage compartment. Weapons are protected in the
WSC using a unique method of shock mounting, which provides
adaptable protection according to the number of weapons stored on
each stowage tier. This improves crew safety and maximises
potential for the system to continue to function following a shock
event.
The launch system uses an air turbine pump (ATP) to achieve a
positive launch firing mechanism. The ATP is an air driven rotary
pump that displaces a volume of water to launch a weapon from a
torpedo tube. Uniquely, Babcock uses a programmable firing valve
(PFV) to control the ATP firing air profile, allowing the system to
match the launch requirements precisely to a range of variables
including weapon type, boat speed and depth.
The ATP and PFV system on Astute offers significant performance
advantages over previous systems, including the water ram systems
currently in service with the Royal Navy. As well as being smaller,
with space saving benefits, it is more efficient (using
substantially less firing air), and has acoustic advantages (lower
noise signature), and an extended operational lifecycle. The
installation of two ATP/PFV systems per boat, giving independent
port and starboard operation, provides operational and reliability
benefits.
In weapons trials of the first WHLS on Astute, weapon shapes
have been successfully launched from all six tubes as part of
ongoing design proving activities.
"All the ATPs were first tested at our launch test facility,
including performing water shots and firing weapon shapes to
confirm each pump's characteristics, which enabled us to optimise
the pumps' performance before fitting to the boat," Babcock Project
Director Gavin Borland explained. "This can yield considerable
programme and cost advantages to the customer. Further test-firings
at sea have also been successfully completed, testing the full
functionality of the installed ATPs to launch a range of weapons at
a variety of depths and speeds. Astute's WHLS is an advanced,
highly capable, and reliable system for a submarine that is said to
be the most potent and technologically advanced SSN ever to serve
with the Royal Navy."
BAE Systems Head of Supply Chain - Complex Systems, George
Teasdale, said: "The signing of the Performance Partnering
Agreement (PPA) for the placement of the Boat 5 contract and the
Boat 6 long lead opportunity demonstrates the long term commitment
between BAE Systems and Babcock. Collectively we are striving for
continuous improvements in performance as measured through BAE
Systems Supplier Performance Review (SPR) process. Through various
relationships management initiatives both BAE and Babcock have
adopted a one team approach to meeting the enormous challenges both
commercially and technically of supplying such a complex scope of
supply as the Weapons Handling and Launch System. The dedication
and excellent support provided to the Astute submarine programme by
Babcock have enabled the signing of the PPA."