Type 23 frigate HMSKent has left Babcock's Rosyth dockyard to
start sea trials, with a number of significant upgrades following a
successful refit by Babcock.
The demanding and tightly scheduled project has seen
HMSKentreceive more than 20 upgrades, as well as undergoing a full
programme of deep maintenance including structural repairs, renewal
of hull coatings and refurbishment and maintenance of all the
ship's systems and equipment. Babcock's experience on
previous Type 23 docking periods and the close and effective
working between Babcock, the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and Ship's
Staff have contributed significantly to ensuring optimum
efficiency, cost-effectiveness and safety; resulting in the
successful completion of the programme, on-time and in-budget.
Upgrades and improvements as a result of the refit include:
installation of Sonar 2087, the tactical variable depth
anti-submarine warfare system (involving significant structural
modifications to the aft end); the new DNA(2) Command System
(central to the ship's fighting capability against air surface and
underwater threats); the SeaWolf Mid-Life Update comprising
tracking, guidance and weapon management upgrades; the 4.5 Mk8 Mod1
gun replacement and the new 30mm Automatic Small Calibre Gun fit;
installation of the Defence Information Infrastructure (Future)
(known as DII(F)) system to enable information sharing and
collaborative working across the Armed Forces and MOD; NATO radial
filters to protect fresh air supplies against nuclear, biological,
or chemical attack; and a new sophisticated incident detection
system.
Additionally, living and working conditions on-board in even the
most extreme ambient temperatures have been improved with a
'globalisation' fit, which involved a re-design of the entire
ship's air conditioning system affecting most compartments
on-board. There were also galley equipment upgrades and
habitability improvements, as well as mechanical system
upgrades.
Babcock project manager Russell Glancy commented: "This project,
over its 50 week timeframe, has involved an extensive scope of work
and a number of challenges which have been successfully met.
In addition to the multiple upgrades and improvements, the 295,000
manhour project has involved the overhaul of some 500 or so items
of equipment and has seen more than 13km of cable installed and
15,000 litres of paint applied. It is thanks to the
pro-active approach and strong spirit of partnering displayed
throughout by all key stakeholders (Babcock, ship's staff and MoD),
that we have successfully met the challenges; on-schedule and to
cost and quality. HMSKentnow leaves in the best possible
material condition to commence her sea trials ahead of the ship's
return to operational duties."
MoD Project Group Manager David Winstanley said: "To have
achieved the ready for sea date to the original contracted schedule
has been a tremendous achievement. It is a testament to the
strength and durability of the Babcock/Ship's Staff/MoD partnership
and to the valuable contributions made by the wider stakeholder
community."
HMSKent will now undergo sea trials before returning to the
Fleet in February 2012.