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FOCUS: British Aircraft Carrier Program |
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(Source: compiled by defense-aerospace.com; published Oct. 15, 2005)
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British Defence Secretary John Reid announced on Oct. 14 the way forward for the Royal Navy’s CVF future aircraft carrier program. This page lists related statements issued by the MoD and industry, including:
-- MoD statement
--MoD background paper
--BAE statement
--VT Group statement
--Babcock statement
--list of related links for additional information
NOTE: The House of Commons Defence Committee will publishi its Second Report of Session 2005–06, Future Carrier and Joint Combat Aircraft Programmes, (HC 554), on Wednesday 21 December.
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1. Future Aircraft Carrier Project Moves to Next Phase as Assembly Plans Are Agreed |
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(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Oct. 14, 2005)
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Defence Secretary John Reid has announced a series of major developments in MoD's multi-billion pound programme to build a new class of aircraft carrier for Britain's Armed Forces today, 14 December 2005.
The key developments - which together will provide our Forces with the largest and most powerful warships ever constructed in the UK - include:
--The current carrier Alliance team of MoD, BAE Systems, Thales and KBR, is to be joined by VT Group and Babcock.
--Plans for the construction and assembly of the ships at Alliance members' yards have been agreed.
--MoD is to spend some £300M to develop the design of the ships to the point at which manufacturing can begin.
--Commitment to some long-lead items for the ships will be made, where necessary, to maintain the programme.
--It is also planned to explore, with the same companies, encompassing in-service support for the new carriers and the existing carriers through to their out of service dates.
Mr Reid said:
"These are major steps forward for the future carrier project. Work will now commence on finalising the delta design, which will ultimately provide the UK Armed Forces with the largest and most powerful warships ever constructed in the UK, and an expeditionary capability unparalleled outside of the US.
"As part of today's announcement, I am allocating some 60% of the ships' construction to named UK yards: BAE Systems at Govan and Barrow; VT in Portsmouth and Babcock in Rosyth. I can also confirm final assembly of both carriers will be at Rosyth.
"At the same time there is a substantial opportunity for the involvement of other UK shipyards in the remaining parts of the build programme that will be open to competition. This could go well beyond traditional shipbuilders since the project will use modern modular production techniques.
"We will now work with industry to finalise the programme budget; to set a construction timetable and establish in-service dates; to ratify how the ships will be supported through a service life of up to 50 years; and to ensure that our detailed requirements are met. Together with the parallel design work, this means that when we come to commit to the manufacture of the project we can do so with the highest degree of confidence and certainty in our plans.
"Alongside this, I am announcing our intention of asking the alliance to put forward one integrated plan: not only to maintain the new carriers but to look after the existing carriers until they go out of service. By getting the same people to commit to maintain the existing carriers until the new ones are ready to go we will ensure there is a continuity of capability for the Royal Navy.
"This project is a key to the Defence Industrial Strategy and marks the end to the 'boom and bust' industrial cycle. The introduction of a managed and steady work stream will allow industry to plan efficiently and to retain the highly skilled workforce that has contributed to the fine tradition of shipbuilding in this country. In addition, this project will sustain and create some 10,000 UK jobs around the country."
For the Future Aircraft Carrier project (also known as the "Carrier, Vehicular, Future" or CVF project) the "Main Gate" approval - a stage of the MOD's procurement process which must be fulfilled before projects can move to manufacture - has been split into two incremental steps. Today's announcement marks the movement of the project through the first step, from the MOD's assessment phase into the demonstration phase. This next phase of design work will further remove risk from the project and give greater understanding of projected costs, allowing Ministry of Defence to make its main investment decision in confidence. At that time, the MOD will be able to announce the expected programme costs and "in-service" dates for the new ships.
From a range of proposed designs for the new carriers, the adaptable design labelled "Design Delta" has been selected. When the ships are built, they will be fitted with a ski-jump to operate short take-off and vertical-landing (STOVL) aircraft. However, the design can be altered later in the ships' service life, for example to accommodate catapults and arrestor gear to fly conventional carrier aircraft. This is future-proofing for a class of ship expected to have a 50-year life.
The new class of carriers will be much larger than the Royal Navy's existing "Invincible" class carriers. It is currently estimated that the new class will have a displacement (weight) of 65,000 tonnes, will be 280m long and 70m wide, and have a draught (the depth of water needed to float the ship) of 9m. The ships' complement will be around 1500 all-told, including the Joint Force Air Group (JFAG) who will support and fly the embarked aircraft. Each ship will carry about 40 aircraft (Joint Combat Aircraft, Maritime Airborne Surveillance and Control system, and Merlin helicopters).
Plans for the construction and assembly of the ships in yards owned by members of the new expanded Alliance include hull block 4 at BAES Govan, block 3 at BAES Barrow, block 2 at VT Group Portsmouth, and the bow (block 1) and final assembly at Babcock Rosyth, all subject to value-for-money and cost-effectiveness considerations. This work is some 60% of the overall build. Substantial elements of the remainder of the ship super-structure are to be competed for by other shipyards and manufacturing facilities. (ends)
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2. Background Notes to MoD Statement |
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(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Oct. 14, 2005)
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1. The Main Gate approval required before projects move to manufacture has been split into two incremental steps. Today's announcement marks the movement of the Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) project through the first step, from the MoD's assessment phase into the demonstration phase. This next phase of design work will further remove risk from the project and give greater understanding of projected costs which will allow MoD to make its main investment decision in confidence. At that time, we will announce expected programme costs and in service dates for the ships.
2. The Demonstration Phase work announced today will finalise the details of the CVF Delta design in readiness for manufacture.
3. Design Delta overall parameters include an estimated displacement of 65,000 tonnes, 280M length, 70M beam, 9M draught with a complement of 1500 (including Joint Force Air Group (JFAG)) and a total airgroup size of about 40 (JCA, MASC and Merlin).
4. Design Delta is an adaptable design that, while fitted with a ski-jump to operate short take off and vertical landing aircraft on build, can be altered later in its service life to accommodate catapults and arrestor gear to fly conventional carrier aircraft. This is future-proofing for a ship with a 50 year life.
5. Plans for the construction and assembly of the ships in yards owned by members of the new expanded Alliance include hull block 4 at BAES Govan, block 3 at BAES Barrow, block 2 at VT Group Portsmouth, and the bow (block 1) and final assembly at Babcock Rosyth, all subject to value for money and cost effectiveness considerations. This work is some 60% of the overall build. Substantial elements of the remainder of the ship super structure are to be competed for by other shipyards and manufacturing facilities. (ends)
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3. BAE Systems and the Aircraft Carrier Alliance |
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(Source: BAE Systems; issued Dec. 14, 2005)
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Chris Geoghegan, Chief Operating Officer said:
“BAE Systems welcomes the announcement by the Secretary of State today on the Aircraft Carrier Alliance. This is a very positive and key step towards securing the future of the Naval industry in the UK. It will sustain key skills both in our own company and in other members of the Defence Industry.”
The key contributions that BAE Systems will make in the Alliance are summarised as follows
--Leadership of the overarching design team to ensure overall engineering and systems integration across all aspects of the programme.
--Leadership of the integration and commissioning of the ships to ensure all block construction and final assembly is seamlessly managed and integrated.
--Construction of lower blocks 3 and 4 and all associated detailed design
--Leadership of the Mission Systems design team to integrate weapons and communication systems both within the ship and to the aircraft.
BACKGROUND NOTES:
As a member of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, BAE Systems will be responsible for the leadership of the overall CVF design. This will include definition and implementation of end to end engineering processes in addition to responsibility for the overall specification and requirements for the two ships.
BAE Systems will also lead and manage an Alliance Ship Build, Integration and Commissioning team for the two aircraft carriers, which will co-ordinate the block build as well as final assembly at Rosyth. Specifically, the complex aft block containing the machinery spaces will be designed and built at BAE Systems’ on the Clyde with the centre block being designed and built at the yard in Barrow-in-Furness.
BAE Systems also has leadership of the Mission System design team, responsible for producing and integrating the communications and weapons systems within the ships and ensuring an integrated capability with both the aircraft and other parts of the carrier battle group.
BAE Systems will continue to support the central Alliance team with staff from across all functions including programme management and other business related activities.
BAE Systems Naval Capability in the UK:
BAE Systems is the UK’s largest warship and submarine prime contractor and systems integrator for the Ministry of Defence and export customers. The Company delivers complete design and build capability – from initial concept studies through to in-service capability, including warship and submarine design, project management, manufacture, integration, test and commissioning.
The company owns in excess of 80 percent of the established warship design capability and very significantly the UK’s largest warship build capability, based at two shipyards on the Clyde in Scotland and the yard at Barrow-in-Furness, North West England.
BAE Systems at Scotstoun is planning to launch the First of Class Type 45 Anti Air Warfare Destroyer – HMS Daring – on 1 February 2006. It will be the largest ship to ever be launched from Scotstoun. BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness is in the process of closing up HMS Astute, the first nuclear submarine to be built in the UK since the Trident programme.
BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The Company employs over 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately £14.8 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations. (ends)
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4. VT Group Welcomes CVF Involvement |
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(Source: VT Group; issued Dec. 14, 2005)
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Support services and shipbuilding company VT Group welcomes the announcement today that it is to play a key role in the programme to build two new aircraft carriers (CVF) for the Royal Navy.
The announcement by Secretary of State for Defence John Reid that the programme is to progress to the demonstration phase will see VT make a full contribution to help bring the design to an advanced level of maturity.
In addition, VT is to become a full member of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA), the entity responsible for managing the design and build of the carriers.
In the manufacturing phase, VT will build the CVF forward block, Block 2, up to the hangar deck, subject to value for money and cost effectiveness considerations. This is a major block that contains a number of key compartments including the Operations Complex and the Forward Engine Room.
Chief Executive Paul Lester commented: “We are very pleased to contribute to the design, planning and build of the two CVF ships. Today’s announcement demonstrates tangible progress in this important project.” (ends)
5. Babcock Involvement in Aircraft Carrier Alliance
(Source: Babcock International plc; issued Dec. 14, 2005)
Commenting on Babcock International PLC’s involvement in the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, Peter Rogers, Chief Executive, said:
“We are delighted that Babcock has been selected as a member of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance and that its integration facilities in Rosyth will be engaged in delivering, with our partners, the largest and most powerful warships ever constructed in the UK.” (ends)
6. Related links of interest:
-- UK Defence Procurement Agency: background information on CVF program (with photos and diagrams)
-- Royal Navy: Future Carriers page
-- Royal Navy: page on current aircraft carriers (with photos and illustrations)
-ends-
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