[JLRC]

Production Begins On Second 'Next-Generation' Destroyer  
 
 
(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Aug. 26, 2004)
 
 
 First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West today officially launched production of the second Type 45 Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer at BAE Systems' shipyard at Govan in Glasgow.  
 
Admiral West signalled the start of production by cutting the first sheet of steel for HMS Dauntless, the second of six ships ordered by the MoD to be built by BAE Systems on the Clyde and by VT Group at Portsmouth.  
 
Admiral West said: "This is a really momentous occasion, because the steel I am cutting today officially starts the building of a ship which will form part of the most advanced air destroyer fleet in the world, and will provide a crucial capability for our powerful and modern Royal Navy.  
 
"It's also not just about ships, it's about people. Clearly the MOD's UK shipbuilding programme is sustaining hundreds of jobs in Scotland, and creating tremendous opportunities for the 100 new apprentices starting work here today. These men and women are making a major and worthwhile contribution to Defence in the UK and throughout the world, whilst continuing the proud history of ship-building on the Clyde for many years to come. I wish them the very best."  
 
At around 7,350 tonnes in weight and over 150 metres long, the Type 45s will be the biggest and most powerful air defence destroyers ever built for the Royal Navy. The current contract, with BAE Systems as the Prime Contractor, is for six ships.  
 
The Type 45 will be equipped with the world-leading Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS), and will provide a huge advance in technology when it enters service later in the decade.  
 
Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Bach said: "It is extremely satisfying that production of the second-of-class is now underway. The Type 45 will give our forces a truly world-class destroyer, complete with one of the most advanced air defence systems available.  
 
"There is no doubt this new class of Destroyer will set new standards. The Type 45 represents a 21st Century response to the most sophisticated threats that might face UK or Allied ships in the years to come.  
 
"When combined with the new aircraft carriers, our new attack submarines, and a range of other new amphibious vessels currently under construction, this demonstrates our firm commitment to maintaining and enhancing our maritime capabilities. This programme of new warship construction is the largest in the country for years and is creating and sustaining large numbers of jobs at shipyards across the UK."  
 
The current forecast cost of the six ships is £5.5bn and their construction is expected to sustain around 2,000 jobs on the Clyde and around 650 at Vosper Thornycroft in Portsmouth. In addition, many other UK companies are benefiting from work on the programme, including over 30 who are sub-contracted to the prime contractor.  
 
 
BACKGROUND NOTES:  
 
-- BAE Systems Electronics is the prime contractor for the delivery of the first six Type 45 Destroyers. Vosper Thornycroft at Portsmouth and BAE Systems Sea Systems Group will both build and outfit substantial sections of the ships.  
 
-- The Type 45 Destroyer will replace the capability currently provided by the T42. The first of class ship is planned to enter service later in the decade.  
 
-- The class is to be known as the 'D' Class. HMS Daring, HMS Dauntless, HMS Diamond, HMS Defender, HMS Dragon and HMS Duncan have been announced as the names of the first six ships.  
 
-- All ships will be equipped with the world-beating Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS), which is designed to deal with multiple attacks by anti-ship missiles. It will be powered by the WR21 Gas Turbine and will reach speeds of up to 29 knots.  
 
-- The current contract with BAE Systems is for the first six ships of a class of eight.  
 
-- The Type 45 Destroyer IPT is based at the Defence Procurement Agency Headquarters at Abbey Wood in Bristol. (ends)  
 
 
 
 Second Type 45 Destroyer Commences Production on Clyde  
 
 
(Source: BAE Systems; issued Aug. 26, 2004)
 
 
 BAE Systems Naval Ships has celebrated two important milestones today - beginning production on the second Type 45 Destroyer for the Royal Navy and welcoming the latest intake of apprentices into the Clyde-based business.  
 
These two events help confirm the company’s reputation as the leading provider of naval capability and complete warship delivery and reinforce its determination to have a suitability skilled workforce to service current and future contracts.  
 
First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, began production of the vessel, to be known as HMS DAUNTLESS when it enters service, at BAE Systems’ Govan facility on the River Clyde, Glasgow on Thursday 26 August 2004. The ceremony was witnessed by senior Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy officials, MPs and MSPs, members of the Type 45 Destroyer team and by the 100 new apprentices who have just joined the business.  
 
Vic Emery, Managing Director of BAE Systems Naval Ships said,  
 
“When we talk about our business we don’t just talk about building the ships, we also talk about delivering to the Navy the capability they need to face the challenges ahead. We take the initial idea, work with the customer to define what they need. We plan it, design it, build it and bring it together. We ensure that not only does every system work but also that it works with every other system. We deliver the finished article.  
 
“In an incredibly advanced ship like the Type 45 Destroyer it takes a huge range of skills to be able to do that. We have those skills and we will ensure that the young people joining us today will also have the opportunity to develop those skills. Today is all about ensuring that our customer has the capability he needs, and that we have the capability and the skills to successfully face the future.  
 
“This is a big day for the Type 45 programme, a big day for these young people and a big day for the business.”  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

HMS Leeds Castle Bids Farewell to Stanley  
 
 
(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Sept. 23, 2004)
 
 
 HMS Leeds Castle, the Falklands Islands Patrol Vessel, has said farewell to Port Stanley as she returns home to Portsmouth after three and a half years in the South Atlantic. The patrol task off the Falklands and South Georgia will now be undertaken by regular visits by other Royal Navy ships.  
 
Since being deployed in February 2001, Leeds Castle has been a frequent visitor to the outlying settlements and islands, including Stanley itself and developed a very special rapport with the scattered settlements.  
 
As the ship sailed, Stanley came to a standstill, schools, offices and Government House allowing people to gather along Victory Green to say a fond farewell to an old friend. The bells of Stanley Cathedral rang, the Defence Force fired a gun salute and a Government Air Service Islander aircraft conducted a fly-past.  
 
Her Commanding Officer, Lt Cdr Iain Lower said, "This is a remarkable turn-out and just shows the depth of feeling that has developed between the ship and the Falkland Islanders, not just over the last four years, but ever since the ship first operated in these waters in 1982".  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

MoD Awards BAE Systems Ships Disposals Contract
 
 
(Source: BAE Systems; issued Sept. 27, 2004)
 
 
 The Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO), the logistics unit of the UK’s Ministry of Defence, has signed an ‘enabling’ contract with BAE Systems which formalises the company’s role as lead contractor for the disposal or sale of Royal Navy ships.  
 
The contract is worth up to £7 million over an initial five years with options for the DLO to extend beyond this. BAE Systems’ CS&S Naval business will be responsible for the regeneration and delivery of ships to their new owner and will agreed firm prices with the DLO for each project.  
 
The contract will operate within the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement that the MOD has had in place with UK maritime industry and will cover the disposal of vessels such as frigates, destroyers, patrol vessels and minehunters, but does not include the disposal of surplus nuclear submarines. It has wide-ranging support from the major players within the naval industry, including the Society of Maritime Industries and the British Naval Equipment Manufacturers’ Association.  
 
Major General Malcolm Wood, Director General of Disposals and Sales at the Defence Logistics Organisation said, “This contract builds on a relationship between the MOD and BAE Systems which has existed since December 1998. Our aim all along has been to provide better through-life support and lower costs to navies around the world.”  
 
Rory Fisher, MD of CS&S, Naval added, “Clearly, this is an important step for the company in developing its ship reactivation business and strategy for managing the supplier base. I am confident we can deliver a real return for the MOD - we already have significant experience in this field by managing the regeneration and modernisation of two Type 22 frigates for the Romanian Navy.”  
 
The scope of each project could vary widely - from regenerating and modernising a ship for onward sale – to towing a vessel from one port to another. In fulfilling its role as lead contractor, CS&S Naval will ensure all relevant companies within the naval industry are able to compete for work, and will be encouraging the use of on-line electronic procurement methods.  
 
BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately £12 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.  
 
Customer Solutions & Support employs around 15,000 people at over 40 locations and provides through-life support and services across the air, sea and land sectors. It carries out upgrades, maintenance, repair and overhaul of military systems. CS&S supports customers' military capability in areas such as training; facilities management; spares and repairs; technical information services; manpower services; and supply chain and logistics management.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

Commander-In-Chief Fleet Starts VT Production On HMS Dauntless
 
 
(Source: VT Group; issued undated)
 
 
 Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, Commander-in-Chief Fleet, has officially started VT Shipbuilding’s production of the second Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer, HMS Dauntless, at VT’s Portsmouth Shipbuilding Factory.  
 
VT Shipbuilding is building the bow sections, funnels and masts for the first six Type 45 destroyers and also expects to be similarly involved for the two ships subsequently ordered. The sections will be transported by barge to BAE Systems’ facilities on the Clyde where the ships are being assembled.  
 
Admiral Band officially signalled the start of VT production on HMS Dauntless when he commenced steel cutting at the state-of-the-art £50m. facilities in Portsmouth Naval Base.  
 
He commented: “I was honoured to be asked to cut the first steel for HMS Dauntless in Portsmouth. This event marked another key milestone in the modernisation programme of the new Navy. This is great news for the Royal Navy and VT, who together with BAE Systems on the Clyde, will provide us with this superb new capability.”  
 
The 1,200 tons bow section, which extends to about a third length of the ship, is scheduled to leave Portsmouth in May 2006 for consolidation by BAE, who started production on the second ship last month  
 
VT Shipbuilding Managing Director Peter McIntosh explained: “The advanced facilities that we have at Portsmouth have already enabled us to achieve an impressive productivity performance on ship 01 and we expect further improvements on ship 02.  
 
“PSF is now recognised as a centre of excellence in naval shipbuilding and will place VT in a strong position for the Type 45, CVF and other major naval shipbuilding projects that are planned over the next few years.”  
 
VT started work on the blocks for the first-of-class Type 45 last year and the huge bow section is now structurally complete. The next few months will involve detailed outfitting before the bow section is moved north next Spring.  
 
-ends-

[Spectral]

U.K. Scraps Plans To Build More Than A Dozen Warships   

By ANDREW CHUTER, LONDON


Britain’s Ministry of Defence announced Nov. 19 that it dropped plans to build up to 14 warships to replace the fleet of Type 23 frigates now in service with the Royal Navy. The government had planned to move to the assessment phase of the program to build the Future Surface Combatant (FSC) next year.

Now the MoD is reconsidering its options. The first of the warships had been planned to enter service around 2012. An MoD spokesman said uncertainties regarding future Royal Navy operations, the maturity of emerging technologies and industry/government efforts to pull together a long-term warship building strategy had all affected the decision.

The British may be looking at splitting the FSC requirement in two, an industry source said. The Defence Procurement Agency recently asked industry for design ideas for what it called a “global corvette.” The source said the Royal Navy may go for a combination of the corvette and a variant of the 7,500-metric-ton Type 45 destroyer now under development

-end-

Más notícias para os ingleses. Para além do atraso, em vez de terem 12 navios de guerra a sério vão ter metade, sendo os outros 6 pouco mais que um OPV...

[JLRC]

The Royal Marines Get Vikings
 
 
(Source: Royal Navy; issued Nov. 24, 2004)
 
 
 The Royal Marine Commandos, an integral part of the Royal Navy, have taken delivery of Viking – one of the MoD's most advanced armored land vehicles and the first armored vehicles to be operated by the Corps for over fifty years.  
 
The amphibious Vikings are armored, all terrain vehicles capable of operating anywhere in the world in temperatures from -46oC to +49oC, and were selected for their ability to be deployed in jungle, desert or arctic conditions quickly.  
 
A fleet of 108 Viking has been bought for the Royal Marines following a grueling two-year trial and development program.  
 
The first prototype Viking vehicles were delivered in June 2001. The vehicles successfully completed a 24-month series of trials in Norway, the UK, Sweden and Oman. In Norway, the vehicle successfully completed a winter deployment inside the Arctic Circle. In September 2001, Vikings were transported to Oman and took part in Exercise Saif Sareea 2, where full operational testing was carried out in the extreme hot and dry desert conditions.  
 
Lord Bach, Minister for Defence Procurement, said: "The Royal Marines are a mobile commando force. They need a vehicle that can cope with a variety of terrain, provide protection from enemy fire and be easily transportable by air. Viking stood out as the right solution, and will give the Royal Marines the protection and mobility they need for years to come."  
 
The Vikings consist of two tracked vehicle units linked by a steering mechanism. They can be lifted by Chinook helicopters, driven into a C130 Hercules aircraft or carried on a landing craft. They can also be split into two sections in just 20 minutes to be carried by the Merlin helicopter.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

HMS Westminster Gets Sonar 2087
 
 
(Source: UK Defence Procurement Agency; issued Nov. 24, web-posted Nov. 29, 2004)
 
 
 Members of the press were invited to see one of the world's most advanced new sonar systems at a media facility on board the newly upgrade frigate HMS Westminster last week.  
 
The press in Rosyth, Scotland was given extensive briefings on the advanced new capabilities, which HMS Westminster has been given as part of a £25million upgrade. The improvements include the installation of Sonar 2087, the Surface Ship Torpedo Defence system and the WECDIS electronic navigation system.  
 
The most potent ship of her type in the Royal Navy, HMS Westminster is the first vessel to get the advanced Sonar 2087. This is a new-generation low frequency active sonar, a vital defence capability much needed by the Royal Navy in order to detect a new generation of increasingly stealthy submarines which often operate close to shore and are very hard to detect.  
 
The system is being fitted to at least six of the Royal Navy's Type 23 Frigates Ð a general purpose class of ship but with an enhanced capability in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) when fitted with Sonar 2087, and the Merlin helicopter.  
 
During the briefing it was explained how the system works and how the MOD has processes in place to minimise its effect on the marine environment. Some of the points made included:  
 
--Sonar 2087 is an active system that puts noise into the water when in use. The MOD fully recognises that underwater noise has the potential to cause problems to the marine environment and has developed robust operating procedures, utilising the best available scientific advice, to reduce any impact.  
 
--Sonar 2087 has never been associated with any marine mammal strandings or found to have caused physical harm to any marine mammal. Independent mammal observers have monitored the trials and results analysed to date have shown there were no noticeable adverse impacts on marine life. As part of the approved Environmental Action Plan, the sonar will not be used if the marine mammals are within the predetermined safe range.  
 
--The range within which an animal must be close to the Sonar system for it to be possibly caused harm is effected by a range of issues from water conditions, Sea State, temperatures, power settings and transmission interval. For example in recent trials off Scotland a mammal would have had to be within 500 meters of the sonar for 15 minutes to have been caused any permanent damage. All such variables that affect this time and distance are taken into account during the development of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)  
 
--Sonar 2087 is not more 'powerful' than existing sonar systems, however, unlike other existing systems it operates at a lower frequency (longer wavelength) to enable detection of a hostile submarine at sufficient range from friendly forces that it is prevented from attacking those forces or otherwise interfering with their operations.  
 
The EIA is carried out to ensure any effect on the marine environment is minimised Ð each can cost up to half a million pounds. To date £1.6 M has been spent on S2087 EIAs. The EIA advises the MOD and Royal Navy of the actions that should be taken to reduce the potential risk of an impact on the marine environmental.  
 
Whilst Sonar 2087 does put sound into the water, there are other, natural sounds such as lightning strikes on the sea and the calls of some species of Whales that can be louder than S2087 at source.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

155 TMF concept sets sights on naval market


BAE Systems Land Systems has put forward a "low cost, low risk" plan to develop a naval 155 mm gun system, which the company argues would offer a significant enhancement to the range and lethality of the UK Royal Navy's (RN's) naval gunfire support capability.
[Jane's Defence Weekly - first posted to http://jdw.janes.com – 3 December 2004]

[JLRC]

VT Group Commences Negotiations for New Offshore Patrol Vessel
 
 
(Source: VT Group; issued Dec. 13, 2004)
 
 
 VT Group plc has commenced negotiations with the Ministry of Defence for the construction of a new 80-metre Offshore Patrol Vessel (Helicopter) for the Royal Navy, following the Ministry’s assessment of competitive bids from a number of companies.  
 
The ship will be built to VT’s account, handed over in September 2006 and chartered to the MoD for an initial period until March 2012. It will be manned and operated by the Royal Navy.  
 
The programme is expected to be worth an initial total of around £30 million, under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement, with the potential for this to increase if the charter is extended.  
 
The 80m ship will replace the RN’s two existing Castle Class offshore patrol vessels and will carry out the role of Falkland Islands Patrol Vessel. VT will also be responsible for providing a full Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) service to maintain the ship so that she is available for sea for more than 300 days a year. By utilising modern automated equipment and commercial maintenance practices, VT will guarantee the availability with a single ship, compared to the two currently needed to provide the same availability.  
 
VT Group Chief Executive Paul Lester commented: “This programme will provide a significant boost to our shipbuilding throughput at Portsmouth, supplementing the work that we are carrying out on the Type 45 destroyer. It also underlines the success of the PPP model that we have introduced on the initial River Class ships.”  
 
The new design will be based on the River Class, which were built by VT and are currently under charter to the MOD. The ‘Batch 2’ River Class will be enhanced with a helicopter deck capable of accepting helicopters up to the size of the new Merlin aircraft, and surveillance radar.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

HMS Bulwark Enters Service
 
 
(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Dec. 10, 2004)
 
 
 The Royal Navy has today accepted into service one of the most technologically advanced warships ever to join the fleet - the 18,500 tonne HMS Bulwark.  
 
Built in Barrow-in-Furness by BAE Systems, HMS Bulwark, now docked in her home port of Devonport, is the second in a new class of amphibious assault ship which combines innovative design with state-of-the-art computing power.  
 
Bulwark joins her sister ship HMS Albion, which was accepted into service last July. Together they represent a huge step forward in modernising amphibious operations and will be a pivotal element of UK expeditionary warfare capability for the next 30 years.  
 
Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Bach said: "I am extremely happy to see HMS Bulwark enter service with the Royal Navy - she and her sister ship HMS Albion form a key part of a £1 Billion modernisation programme which will mark a new era for the Royal Navy, completely renewing our amphibious shipping capability.  
 
"Built in Britain HMS Bulwark is one of the most advanced vessels of her type anywhere in the world. Not only can she carry hundreds of men and their equipment to wherever they are needed across the globe but she also contains one of the largest and most sophisticated battlefield command systems ever installed in a Royal Navy warship. She is indeed a vessel to be proud of."  
 
 
BACKGROUND NOTES:  
 
HMS Bulwark can carry up to 700 troops and her flight deck can accommodate two Merlin helicopters.  
 
A large floodable dock holds four large landing craft - with another four secured to the sides of the ship.  
 
She was launched on November 15, 2001, displaces 18,500 tonnes, has an overall length of 176 metres and a beam of 25.6 metres.  
 
HMS Bulwark will be based in Devonport, together with HMS Albion and HMS Ocean, from where she will depart on missions all over the world.  
 
The project is being managed by the Landing Ships Dock (Auxiliary) Integrated Project Team, based at the Defence Procurement Agency headquarters at Abbey Wood, Bristol.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

HMS Victorious Arrives in Devonport (edited for content)
 
 
(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Jan. 19, 2005)
 
 
 The Vanguard class submarine HMS Victorious arrived at HM Naval Base Devonport on Sunday 16 January 2005 for a major refit, which will be undertaken by Devonport Management Limited.  
 
The submarine left her home port of Faslane in Scotland on 13 January to make the four-day transit into Devonport Naval Base. The work to be carried out is a Long Overhaul Period and will include a refuel.  
 
HMS Victorious is the second of the Royal Navy's four Trident nuclear powered submarines to be refitted at Devonport. Her sister submarine HMS Vanguard recently completed her successful three-year refit with DML and returned home to Faslane earlier this month.  
 
As he prepared to sail the submarine to Plymouth with 119 crew and visitors from various affiliations on board, the Commanding Officer of HMS Victorious, Commander John Humphreys, said: "It is with sadness that we leave Faslane today. It has been home for the ten years that HMS Victorious has been contributing to the continuous operational cycle of the UK's national deterrent.  
 
"I have nothing but praise for the Base and its personnel and the support they have provided to us over the years. We look forward to returning and resuming this important role on completion of our successful refit with DML at Devonport."  
 
Commenting on the arrival, DML's Chief Executive Dr Dennis Gilbert, said:  
 
"This second refit in the class represents a fundamental cornerstone of our workload over the next three years. Our project and production teams have completed the planning activities and are now keen to deliver against the challenges that this refit presents."  
 
Shortly after arriving in Devonport, Commander John Humphreys will be leaving HMS Victorious to take up his new appointment on the International Military Staff at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels.  
 
The Royal Navy operates four Vanguard class Strategic missile submarines which provide the UK's national deterrent. Each can carry 16 Trident missiles. They are HMS Vanguard, HMS Victorious, HMS Vigilant and HMS Vengeance.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

HMS Invincible Leads Royal Navy Strike Force on Major Exercises in Middle East
 
 
(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Jan. 24, 2005)
 
 
 Aircraft carrier HMS Invincible left Portsmouth on 17 January 2005 to lead a Royal Navy strike force on a series of exercises in the Mediterranean and Middle East spanning three months.  
 
In her strike carrier role, with a mixed force of Fleet Air Arm and RAF Harriers embarked, HMS Invincible (Commanding Officer Captain Neil Morisetti RN) will fly the flag of Rear Admiral Charles Style. Admiral Style’s command will include the Portsmouth-based HMS Grafton, a Type 23 frigate; and the Type 42 destroyer HMS Nottingham, embarking on her first operational mission since the completion of her repair package last year.  
 
The Portsmouth ships will be joined by the Devonport-based Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose. Joining the force will be the Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ship Fort George with four of the Navy’s newest helicopter, the Merlin, on board, from 820 Squadron.  
 
The long-planned series of exercises, entitled MARSTRIKE 05, is designed to demonstrate Britain’s ability to deploy, operate and sustain a maritime strike force and to reinforce the Government’s commitment to the stability and security of the Mediterranean and Gulf regions.  
 
MARSTRIKE’s main objective is to develop the operational capability of the participating units – in particular HMS Invincible’s strike role conducted with her tailored air group. Major focus of the deployment will be Exercise Magic Carpet, a joint and combined exercise based on Oman with participation by the Omani, US and French forces.  
 
HMS Invincible’s aircraft will, at various times include Sea Harrier FA2s from 801 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) joined by a Sea King Mk 6 from 771 Squadron ‘B’ Flight, Harrier GR7 strike aircraft from No. 4 (AC) Squadron RAF, and three Sea King airborne early warning helicopters of B Flight, 849 NAS. The aircraft will join the ship at sea.  
 
France has allocated the frigate FS Guepratte to the deployment, seen as a natural progression of the integration last year of the Portsmouth-based destroyer HMS Gloucester into French carrier task group operations in the Mediterranean.  
 
MARSTRIKE 05 will also provide the opportunity for the British ships to make a series of goodwill visits to countries in the region.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

AMS wins £12M MOD Contract for Harrier Support
 
 
(Source: Alenia Marconi Systems; issued, Jan. 26, 2005)
 
 
 The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recently awarded a £12 million contract to AMS, to develop advanced Precision Approach Radars (PAR) on aircraft carriers, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Illustrious, in support of the Harrier GR Mk 9 aircraft.  
 
The Sea Harrier FA2 and Harrier GR7 are both being replaced by the Harrier GR9, which is considered most appropriate to the nature of operations around the world and will be operated by Joint Force Harrier, which consists of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force squadrons.  
 
As part of improvements being made to the safe operation of the aircraft at sea, the MOD is engaged in fitting additional Ship Approach Recovery Aids to the aircraft carriers, which will significantly improve the safety of operations in poor weather and at night. The MOD selected the SPN-720 PAR radar developed by Galileo Avionica of the Finmeccanica group, as the most appropriate system.  
 
AMS will align the original radar design to meet the MOD requirements including changes to the radar characteristics, adaptation of the ship’s gyro data to match current standards and console modifications. Consoles will now include an upper display providing operators with a surveillance capability to further enhance safe aircraft control. These displays will be common to those already installed by AMS in the ships Operations Room and they will be interfaced with the ship’s Combat Management System (CMS). Each PAR system will also be provided with an on-board training capability to ensure that operator skill levels are maintained at sea.  
 
In addition to the PAR radar systems the MOD has contracted AMS to study the installation of a Pilot Interpreted Approach (PIA) aid, thereby providing pilots with further assistance in poor weather or at night. A unique shipborne guidance system developed by AMS will be used in conjunction with new aircraft systems.  
 
Funded by the MOD’s Defence Logistics Organisation this key programme is managed by the Harrier Integrated Project Team (IPT). Air Commodore Ian Thorne, Harrier IPT Leader, said:  
 
"Both parties worked extremely hard to deliver this important contract. AMS has been particularly responsive and positive throughout this process and we have every reason to expect delivery of an entirely successful programme, to cost and time.”  
 
-ends-  
 
PS : Consta que o Invencible vai ser desarmado. Esta notícia parece confirmá-lo.

[JLRC]

World's Best Anti-Torpedo Kit Enters Service  
 
 
(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Jan. 27, 2005)
 
 
 An innovative UK-developed anti-torpedo system, which will protect our ships from underwater torpedo attack, has entered service with the Royal Navy. And with some careful project management, and the use of 'smart' procurement practices, the project is expected to beat its original estimated cost by around £5million.  
 
Called Surface Ship Torpedo Defence (SSTD), the system includes highly sensitive acoustic sensors, which are towed some distance behind a ship and can identify and pin-point the location of an incoming torpedo.  
 
Developed by Middlesex based Ultra Electronics, SSTD will not only warn a ships Commanding Officer of any incoming threat, but will also advise the best course of action, from manoeuvring the ship away from danger to deploying acoustic decoys - also part of the SSTD system - which will lure a torpedo away from its original target.  
 
The £65million SSTD project will see up to 65 Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels are being prepared to receive SSTD. Sixteen sets of the equipment are being procured which can be easily transferred between ships and will be fitted to appropriate vessels when they deploy on operations or exercise.  
 
The first SSTD kit has been fitted to Type 23 frigate HMS Westminster.  
 
Lord Bach, Minister for Defence Procurement said: "This is another wonderful example of UK engineering leading the way. We are now protecting our ships with the very best torpedo defences in the world - and have been able to save around £5 million on the original estimated cost thanks to careful management and employing 'smart' procurement principles.  
 
"Torpedo attack remains a significant threat to our vessels, particularly with the proliferation of quiet submarines around the world. This system is the very best of its kind and establishes UK industry as a world leader in this field of technology."  
 
SSTD is expected to provide the fleet with protection from torpedo attack for the next 25 years  
 
 
BACKGROUND NOTES:  
 
1. Up to Sixty-five RN ships and Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ships, ranging from frigates to Invincible class aircraft carriers and auxiliary oilers are to be fitted to receive SSTD with all equipment delivered over the next two years. The work is expected to take between three and four weeks per vessel and will be conducted at UK yards  
 
2. SSTD will replace the existing Sonar 2070 system.  
 
3. SSTD is managed by the Torpedo Countermeasures Integrate Project Team, based at the Defence Procurement Agency, Abbey Wood, Bristol.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

HMS Westminster Formally Re-Joins the Fleet
 
 
(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Jan. 28, 2005)
 
 
 HMS Westminster, which has emerged from refit as the Royal Navy's most advanced frigate, formally re-joined the fleet in a ceremony in Portsmouth on Thursday 27 January 2005.  
 
The ship underwent an extensive upgrade during 12 months in Rosyth and is the first warship to get the Sonar 2087 system which will help the Navy to better detect 'stealthy' seaborne threats, including submarines and mini-submarines.  
 
She was also fitted with an advanced new torpedo defence system, a new computerised navigational system and equipment that allows her to operate the potent new Merlin helicopter.  
 
HMS Westminster was rededicated in the Naval Base during a service conducted by The Reverend Monsignor Richard Madders, the Navy's Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain.  
 
Principal guest Lady Sally Livesay, who launched the ship on the Tyne in 1992, arrived in style in a horse-drawn carriage provided by the Household Cavalry Regiment – the ship's affiliate Army unit. She was joined by the Duke of Westminster, who maintains a keen interest in his namesake ship's activities.  
 
During the ceremony Lady Livesay inspected a parade comprising most of the 174 ship's company.  
 
HMS Westminster's Commanding Officer, Commander Andrew Bretton, said:  
 
"The ship is now at the cutting edge of technology and ready to face uncertain challenges ahead with a range of impressive new capabilities and a ship's company ready, willing and able to do their duty.  
 
"HMS Westminster represents a great investment for the future of our nation."  
 
Music during the 45-minute ceremony will be provided by the Royal Marines' Band, Portsmouth.  
 
HMS Westminster will continue her operational sea training for the next few months in UK waters and will then be ready to deploy anywhere in the world.  
 
-ends-