Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll left Rosyth today (Friday 10
September) three days early, within budget, and fighting fit with
enhanced sustainability and fighting capability, following a
successful and demanding 11 month upkeep period by Babcock.
As the oldest Type 23 frigate in the fleet (and the first to
undergo a second refit, or RP2) this complex project has involved a
number of challenges, which Babcock has successfully addressed
working closely with ship's staff and the MoD.
The 290,000 manhour project has involved a full deep maintenance
programme and overhaul of mechanical systems, including replacing
two of the vessel's four diesel generators, one of the gas
turbines, 60 per cent of the main shaft lines, and complete
overhaul of all the underwater and high pressure air and salt water
system valves.
Significant focus has centred on the hull structure (which has
benefitted from a substantial refurbishment package) and renewal of
the flight deck. HMS Argyll is the first Royal Navy ship to have
had the raised wooden flight deck replaced with a new composite
material, involving a number of first-fit challenges which had to
be absorbed into the programme schedule.
Major upgrades to the command and weapon systems have included
the main armament, with the 4.5 inch Mk8 Mod1 gun fit. HMS Argyll
has also received the new DNA(2) Command System (central to the
ship's fighting capability against air, surface and underwater
threats); the SeaWolf mid-life update (SWMLU) comprising tracking,
guidance, and weapon management upgrades to counter evolving air
and anti-ship missile threats; and the new Defence Information
Infrastructure (Future) (DII(F)) system to enable information
sharing and collaborative working across the Armed Forces and MoD.
Further upgrades include 30mm automatic gun mounts, and boat
davits. Additionally, living and working conditions on board in
even the warmest climates have been improved with a 'globalisation'
fit of the entire ship's ventilation; an upgrade that has affected
nearly every compartment of the ship and required careful
management of its interface with other work.
The refit contract, awarded under the Surface Ship Support
Alliance (the alliance between the MoD, Babcock and BAE Systems),
has benefitted throughout from the continuing supportive working
relations and close partnering between Babcock, ship's staff and
the MoD, to keep the programme on schedule and return HMS Argyll to
the fleet on-time and in-budget, delivering optimum value for
money.
Among initiatives to help achieve this, the project management
team worked from the outset towards achieving two major milestones
earlier than planned, including undocking seven days early, and
ship's staff moving on board ten days ahead of schedule. This
allowed ship's staff more time to re-familiarise themselves with
their ship, and de-risk the downstream programme in the drive to
meet Ready for Sea Date inspection - successfully achieved three
days early.
Commenting on the project, Babcock project manager George White
said: "Although challenging at times, the project has been a good
one to be involved in and has shown that through successful
partnering between all stakeholders (Babcock, ship's company and
MoD) we can drive a diverse and complex project to a successful
conclusion, within budget, achieving major milestones early to
benefit the end user in the Royal Navy."
Jason Marshall, Project Contract Manager, said "This has been a
demanding project due to the emergence of several unexpected
material issues, however the determined positive approach of
Babcock and ship's staff has ensured the best possible outcomes and
that it has always remained a pleasure to be involved. The approach
of targeting stretch dates for key milestones has delivered huge
benefits and allowed the achievement of this significant evolution
on schedule despite several set backs."
HMS Argyll has now left Rosyth for sea trials.