Babcock is to undertake an upgrade and maintenance programme
which began today on the Type 23 frigate HMS Portland at its Rosyth
dockyard, including some significant upgrades and improvements to
maintain the ship at peak effectiveness
The docking period will draw on Babcock's experience from
previous successful Type 23 refits, including that on
HMSKentrecently completed by the same team, and its close
partnering relationship with the MOD, to deliver the programme with
maximum efficiency and minimised cost, representing optimum value
for money.
Among the upgrades and improvements that HMSPortlandwill receive
during the substantial refit are the new DNA(2) Command System (key
to the ship's fighting capability against air, surface and
underwater threats); the new Defence Information Infrastructure
(Future) (DII(F)), enabling information sharing and collaborative
working across the defence sector network; the fit of Sonar 2087
(the tactical variable depth active and passive anti-submarine
warfare (ASW) system), involving significant structural
modifications to the aft end of the ship; the SeaWolf mid-life
update (SWMLU) comprising tracking, guidance and weapon management
upgrades to counter evolving anti-ship missile threats; the 4.5 Mk8
Mod1 gun replacement; and new 30mm automatic gun fit.
Further upgrades will include NATO radial filters to protect
fresh air supplies from contamination, and the Nuclear Biological
Chemical Defence Incident Surveillance System; an upgrade to the
High Pressure Air system (providing flexibility of supply); the fit
of an electro-catalytic chlorination system to control fouling and
corrosion in sea water cooling circuits (which in turn will help to
extend the life of affected equipment, optimise engine efficiency
and aid efficient fuel consumption, and optimise air conditioning
capacity); and a galley equipment upgrade and habitability
improvements.
In addition to these upgrades a full programme of deep
maintenance will be undertaken, including structural repairs,
refurbishment and maintenance of all the ship's systems and
equipment, and renewal of the hull coatings.
The demanding and tightly scheduled programme is to be
undertaken within an 11 month timeframe. Babcock Project
Manager Russell Glancy said: "We will be applying our experience
from previous Type 23 refits and will continue to build on the
recent success of HMS Kent to ensure that this upgrade and
maintenance programme is delivered safely and effectively, to
schedule, within budget, and meeting the high quality standards for
which Babcock is recognised. We will also ensure that the
strong spirit of partnering between all key stakeholders (MOD,
Ship's Staff and Babcock) is embedded within the team, thus
ensuring we successfully meet the challenges of this project."
MOD Project Group Manager, David Winstanley, said: "We are
looking forward to the challenges ofPortland's upkeep period and
are confident that the embedded partnering ethos will ensure
another successful project at Rosyth."
HMS Portland will leave Rosyth for sea trials in autumn
2012.