Issue 9 Jan 2009.indd - Ministry of Defence

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6 news NEWSREEL Partnership gets pat on the back WORK TO improve living accommodation in the Fleet Accommodation Centre in HMS Drake, Devonport, over the last four years has been richly rewarded. The project – run by Interserve in partnership with the MOD – won both the Partners in Private Finance Initiative/Public Private Partnership Award, as well as the overall prize at the Premises and Facilities Management awards. One judge said: “This partnership is among the best these awards have ever seen in their 15 years of operation. It is delivering fi rst class facilities for the navy, which are well managed and with a co-operative and pro-active approach that helps to recognise the high value this country places on its armed forces.” Harrier costs on Op Herrick THE costs of sustaining eight Harrier aircraft on Operation Herrick in Afghanistan since November 2004 are estimated to be around £30 million a year, according to Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth. Joint Force Harrier is being withdrawn to be replaced by eight Tornado GR4 aircraft. Their deployment will cost up to £40 million with sustaining costs estimated at £31 million per year. DMA talks THE Defence Manufacturers Association (DMA) and the Society of British Aerospace Companies are in talks to see if they can work more closely together. Several options are on the table for members to consider, including a merger of the two organisations. Watchkeeper trials show control WATCHKEEPER – the £899 million Unmanned Air System – has completed its first system flight trials using autonomous software to manage the in-flight control from launch to recovery without a ground-based external pilot. The trials will continue at Elbit’s facilities in Israel and migrate to the UK this year. They will exercise the key mission systems capability incorporating the automatic take-off and landing system. Watchkeeper will provide enduring support to land commanders, providing real time intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance and is due to enter service next year. These latest trials follow the first successful flight of the Watchkeeper air vehicle last April and demonstration of Watchkeeper’s automatic take-off and landing capability last August. DE&S programme manager Dennis Cox said: “The overall aggressive trials schedule is moving the development and demonstration phase towards the validation of the software intensive capability and providing vital evidence to develop the safety and airworthiness case. “Key issues on delivery at this stage are maintaining trials momentum and robust risk mitigation.” The air vehicle was designed by Elbit in Israel to meet UK requirements; the command and control software has been produced by Thales UK in Crawley. The GCS has been designed and manufactured in the UK by UAV Tactical Systems Ltd (U-TacS), the Thales UK/Elbit Systems joint company site in Leicester. Mark Barclay, managing director of Thales UK’s aerospace business, said: “We have made steady progress since the contract was signed in 2005. “I am particularly pleased that Thales and our external partners continue to deliver in line with the agreed customer schedule.” � Two teams into one: Page 26 Daring closes in on reporting for duty DARING, the first of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, has been handed over to the MOD. The 7,500 tonne ship was accepted off contract from BVT Surface Fleet in a ceremony at the Scotstoun yard on the Clyde after finishing contractor trials. She is now due for more trials and training before being ready for operational service. A delighted DE&S Type 45 programme director Dave Twitchin said: “The acceptanceoff-contract of Daring is by far the most exciting and formative milestone of the year. “It is the culmination of an i ncred i ble amou nt of hard work by all those who have been involved in the programme, particularly in the past two years. “Daring has proved herself to be a highly capable ship and has delivered on all of her promises and more. The final phase of her sea trials under MOD control will test her even further. “I have no doubt she will come through with flying colours, and will become the hallmark of the modern Royal Navy and will go on to provide great service for many years to come.” As part of the ceremony, Daring’s commanding officer, Rolls- Royce next to put pen to paper Captain Paul Bennett, raised the White Ensign as the ship’s company marched on board. Captain Bennett said: “Anyone who has sailed on her will tell you that she is a magnificent ship. “The Type 45 is an incredibly ROLLS-ROYCE is the latest company to sign up to the MOD’s charter which aims to increase awareness of environmental issues within the supply chain. Martin Fausset, above left, of Rolls-Royce signed the charter with Tim Flesher, right, of DE&S, who said: “I am very much aware of the innovative approach which Rolls- Royce takes to sustainability issues so our signature of this charter with its joint commitment to work together is doubly signifi cant.” The MOD plans to sign agreements with all its key suppliers. complex warship using cutting edge technology throughout; around 80 per cent of the equipments used are new to service.” Daring is set to arrive in Portsmouth this month. � Dauntless trials: Page 25
New batch on the way as boats prove a big hit A SECOND batch of rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) has been ordered for the Royal Navy after the first proved such a success. Thirty of the 40-knot P24 boats are in service in various parts of the globe on board Type 22 and 23 frigates. Now a second batch of 29 is on the way in a £4 million deal with BVT. The first went into service last month. “The P22 boats which these replace were designed as rescue craft and they were struggling to carry a party of Royal Marines with their size of engine,” said Paul Morris, project officer for Military RIBS (Navy) with DE&S’ Boats and Sea Survival team. “So we designed a better craft. The P24 is a much more effective craft, a huge step up in capability.” The P24, at just over two tonnes, can carry another tonne of cargo or up to six passengers with its two crew. Its powerful six-cylinder diesel engine can drive the craft with a full load for up to five hours at 20 knots. It fulfils a multitude of roles, including conducting boarding operations, rescue, force protection, stores transfer and diving support. Lt Cdr Peter Dunlop of Navy Command said the craft had proved to be superior in all respects over its predecessor in speed, load carrying and reliability in harsh and hazardous conditions in the northern Arabian Gulf for more than 18 months. “It also provides high levels of force protection, being able to mount a forward facing General Purpose Machine Gun,” he added. “Glowing reports from theatre ensured that, after the first operational deployment, Navy Command HQ directed that all capable escorts deploying east of Suez are to be fitted. “Work is going on to upgrade the davit fit of the Type 22 frigates to enable them to operate two of these RIBs.” They will also equip Type 45 destoyers and future aircraft carriers. A party of Royal Marines on board one of the P24 fast craft Writing challenge laid down on future of forces’ logistics FUJITSU SERVICES has launched the first of three annual essay competitions under the title The Fujitsu Future of Logistics Challenge. The competition is open to commissioned officers of the UK’s forces. Essays are to be written on the topic ‘Advancing Logistics Thinking’ and may cover any area related to defence logistics and supply or support chain management that the author considers could be improved. Entries will be judged by senior officers and industry executives. The prize of £1,000 for the best essay will be presented at a dinner to be held on 26 March at Halton House officers’ mess at RAF Halton. Mike Newman, Chief Executive at Fujitsu Defence and Security, said: “Fujitsu is an important partner of the MOD and has a wide range of contracts and innovations underway; we felt that it was appropriate we should encourage original thinking in logistics and supply chain.” Further details can be found by emailing logessay@ uk.fujitsu.com news 7 NEWSREEL Deployments cost cash TOTAL costs of UK troop deployments on peacekeeping in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans in 2007-8 are estimated to be around £3.2 billion with full fi gures to be released shortly in the MOD’s annual report and accounts. Figures were revealed in Parliament which showed 2006/7 spending was £1.7 billion. Mail nears top of priority list MAIL for the armed forces is given the highest possible priority, behind essential supplies such as water, food, medical supplies and ammunition, Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth told Parliament. Primary means for transporting post and parcels from the UK and Germany to Iraq and Afghanistan is by military chartered or RAF aircraft. Vanguard costs MAINTENANCE costs for the fl eet of four Vanguard class submarines in 2008-9 are estimated to be £95 million according to fi gures released in Parliament. These cover fl eet maintenance and capital spend incurred as part of the long overhaul period (refuel) maintenance programme. Costs per year over the next fi ve years range from £105 million to £161 million. Babcock unifi es BABCOCK Marine has combined its engineering system and equipment skills with its platform design and integrated management services to form Integrated Technology. It brings together Babcock’s Design and Technology and Defence Systems, Weir Strachan & Henshaw, Alstec Defence and Armstrong Technology.
Page 1 and 2: ASTOR into service Bulldog is top d
Page 3 and 4: 14 Inside cover image Every second
Page 5: Building continues as carriers’ i
Page 9 and 10: AN UPDATED command system has been
Page 11 and 12: Bulldog is top dog! DE&S programme
Page 13 and 14: can’t see this changing in the fu
Page 15 and 16: feature • • To equip and suppor
Page 21 and 22: ture must be too Do we have a just
Page 23 and 24: New system keeps Type 23 in command
Page 25 and 26: or RAF painting Surface Finishing S
Page 27 and 28: Ships cluster successes marked Reco
Page 29 and 30: MOD APPRENTICES gathered at Main Bu
Page 31 and 32: Working a different beat DE&S exper
Page 33 and 34: PACE • Performance, Agility, Conf
Page 35 and 36: PROMOTE YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE IN

Issue 9 Jan 2009.indd - Ministry of Defence

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