CONTRACTS – My Blog

UK MoD announced a contract with BAE Systems to update Type 45 destroyer propulsion system

The Ministry of Defence has announced a £160 million contract with BAE Systems to update the power and propulsion system fitted to the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers.

According to official announcement; The Power Improvement Project (PIP) will enhance the resilience of the Type 45 class by installing additional power generation sources in each ship.

The contract has been awarded to BAE Systems, in collaboration with BMT Defence services and Cammell Laird. The physical conversion work will be conducted at Cammell Laird’s ship yard in Birkenhead, Merseyside.

Director Ships Support at the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation, Neal Lawson said:

“This contract demonstrates our ability to collaborate effectively with industry and I am extremely pleased with how the team at DE&S have worked rapidly to meet requirements.The PIP will ensure the fleet of highly sophisticated Type 45s can continue to be deployed successfully on operations around the globe, protecting the UK’s interests worldwide.”

As stated by SaveTheRoyalNavy.com; a feasibility study into upgrading the generators was completed by BAES and the MoD in March 2015. The funding for the “Type 45 machinery improvement package” was agreed in the November 2015 SDSR and at least the problem has finally been recognised and funds are in place. Each vessel will have to be dry-docked, large openings cut in the hull and one or possibly two new diesel generator sets slid into place.

The first of class conversion is expected to complete in 2021, with follow on ships completed during the early 2020s.

You can read the details of the propulsion problems and the whole story so far in this article by savetheroyalnavy.com

Korean Navy contracts eMARINE for ASWTT maintenance

The Republic of Korea Navy (ROK Navy) has awarded a contract to eMARINE Global for the maintenance of anti-submarine war tactical training (ASWTT) simulator at Jinhae Naval Base.

The contract is valued at $706,000 and is the Navy’s first maintenance contract to be outsourced to a local company. The simulator was installed by Italian simulator manufacturer ECA Sindel ten years ago.

As part of the maintenance service, eMARINE Global has signed an agreement with ECA Sindel for technical support.

With this latest award for the ASWTT simulator maintenance, we believe we are in a favorable position to win additional training simulator supply and maintenance contracts in 2018.” stated Dr. Ung Gyu Kim, Chairman and CEO of eMARINE Global.

ASWTT simulators are expected to be implemented at other naval bases in 2018.

You can read official announcement here

ECA Group has signed a contract to deliver steering console for third South Korean KSS-III submarine

Already providing steering consoles for 2 submarines as part of the Korean KSS-III Submarine Project, ECA Group has signed a contract to supply of another steering console for the 3rd submarine.

The first two submarines of the project will be built under the contract of South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and the third one to be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries. After this announcement ECA Group has already had contracts with both companies to supply the steering consoles for all three boats.

Download product data sheet here

South Korea’s newest diesel-electric type, KSS-III, is displacing 3,400t, with the first of an expected nine boats due for delivery in 2020.

CAE Awarded for Brazilian Navy Seahawk Helicopter Training Contract

CAE announced on March 7 that CAE USA has been awarded a contract by the United States Navy under a U.S. foreign military sale (FMS) program to provide the Brazilian Navy with a comprehensive S-70B Seahawk helicopter training system.

CAE will design and manufacture two S-70B training devices: a fixed-base S-70B operational flight trainer (OFT) to be used for pilot training along with an S-70B weapons tactics trainer (WTT) to be used for training rear-crew sensor operators and airborne tactics officers. The two training devices can operate independently or when networked they create an S-70B Seahawk tactical operational flight trainer (TOFT) that provides a total aircrew mission training system.

The S-70B OFT will support training of Brazilian Navy S-70B pilots and co-pilots in normal and emergency procedures as well as a range of mission scenarios.

The S-70B WTT will replicate the back-end of the S-70B helicopter and be used to support the training of sensor operators and airborne tactics officers. The S-70B WTT will feature detailed simulations of the underwater and atmospheric environment and the aircraft weapons and sensors to prepare crew members for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions.

You can read CAE official announcement here.

Lockheed Martin to supply MK 41 VLS for Royal Navy Type 26 Frigate

BAE Systems awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to equip the Royal Navy’s new Type 26 Global Combat Ship with the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS).

“Lockheed Martin has a long and successful partnership with the Royal Navy, and we look forward to working with BAE Systems to integrate the MK 41 VLS with the Type 26,” said Paul Livingston, Group Managing Director of Lockheed Martin UK Rotary and Mission Systems. “The MK 41 VLS will provide the Royal Navy’s Type 26 Global Combat Ships with a proven and cost-effective vertical launching solution.”

Each Type 26 will be equipped with three 8-cell MK 41 VLS modules. BAE Systems’ initial order includes nine MK 41 VLS modules, enough for the first three ships of the class.

There have been more than 3,850 successful firings worldwide. MK41 VLS has been successfully integrated and is in service with the U.S. and 12 allied navies on nearly 200 ships representing 20 ship classes.

Lockheed Martin Official Press Release here.

For additional info please visit MK41 VLS product page here.

Plasan signs contract with BAE Systems to provide armour for the Type 26 Frigate fleet

Israeli firm Plasan announced that they have signed a contract with BAE Systems, to provide armour for the Type 26 Frigate fleet.

The new Type 26 Frigate designed and built by BAE Systems is the new class selected for the replacement of eight anti-submarine frigates of the Duke class currently in service with the Royal Navy.

Plasan is expected to begin the production of armour for the first three vessels of the class this year under the arrangement.

Official press release here

Australia’s DST to collaborate with CEA Technologies to develop advanced electronic warfare

On March 1, the Australian Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, announced a five-year research and development agreement between the Defence Science and Technology Group (DST) and CEA Technologies to develop new solutions for Defence’s future requirements in radar, communications, and electronic warfare.

“This collaboration has relevance to programs such as the Future Frigates and will also help inform future programs in the aerospace, maritime and land domains” said Minister Pyne.

CEA Technologies has delivered the world’s first fourth generation Active Phased Array Radar technology for Australia’s ANZAC Class frigates.

The research agreement was signed in Canberra by the Chief Defence Scientist, Dr Alex Zelinsky, and Mr Merv Davis, CEO of CEA Technologies.

You can read official press release here.

Boeing awarded $73m contract to modernize US Navy Super Hornets

Boeing has been awarded a contract to modernize the U.S. Navy F/A-18 fleet, extending the life of existing Super Hornets from 6,000 to 9,000+ flight hours. In the early 2020s, Boeing will begin installing initial updates to the aircraft that will convert existing Block II Super Hornets to a new Block III configuration.

The Block III conversion will include enhanced network capability, longer range with conformal fuel tanks, an advanced cockpit system, signature improvements and an enhanced communication system. The updates are expected to keep the F/A-18 in active service for decades to come.

According to company’s official announcement; “The initial focus of this program will extend the life of the fleet from 6,000 to 9,000 flight hours,” said Mark Sears, SLM program director. “But SLM will expand to include Block II to Block III conversion, systems grooming and reset and O-level maintenance tasks designed to deliver a more maintainable aircraft with an extended life and more capability. Each of these jets will fly another 10 to 15 years, so making them next-generation aircraft is critical.”

The Super Hornet Block III could incorporate a new 10” x 19” large screen cockpit display as first proposed for Boeing’s Advanced Super Hornet concept.

BAE Systems awarded 40 Mk4 Naval Gun contract for Finland

BAE Systems will produce and deliver Bofors 40 Mk4 Naval Guns for the Finnish Navy and its Hamina Class Squadron 2000 fast attack craft, under a contract with Patria, the prime contractor for the vessel’s mid-life upgrade and overhaul program.

With this contract, Finland adds the 40 Mk4 to its installed base of BAE Systems naval guns, including both previous versions of 40-millimeter (mm) L/70 systems and 57-mm Mk3 systems.

The low weight and compact Bofors 40 Mk4 gun system with its high rate of fire and ability to switch between optimized ammunition types – including the intelligent 40mm 3P all-target ammunition – provides high survivability and tactical freedom at all levels of conflict.

In addition to Finland, more than 10 countries currently use BAE Systems Bofors 40-mm guns.

You can read BAE Systems press release here

Rolls-Royce to supply propellers and mission bay technology for UK Type 26 Frigate

Rolls-Royce has signed two contracts with BAE Systems to supply low-noise propellers and mission bay handling technologies for the UK Royal Navy’s new Type 26 Global Combat Ship.

The contracts cover the first three ships – the first of which is currently under construction at the BAE Systems shipyard in Glasgow.

The Type 26 is designed with modularity and flexibility in mind and a key feature which sets it apart from competing designs is its mission bay. The Rolls-Royce Mission Bay Handling System, will enable efficient movement of craft and containerised mission packages within the mission bay. It also features a launch and recovery capability.

Each ship will feature two Rolls-Royce fixed bolted propellers, designed for extremely low underwater-radiated noise, suited to the ships’ key role of anti-submarine warfare.

You can read Rolls Royce press release here.