L-3 MAPPS announced today that its Marine Systems UK Ltd. unit has been awarded a design and production contract for the integrated platform management system (IPMS) for the UK’s future aircraft carrier (CVF) project. The contract was awarded by Thales UK, which leads the CVF Power and Propulsion Sub-Alliance, including L-3 Marine Systems UK.
The L-3 IPMS is based on proven and survivable control systems technology that has been delivered by L-3 MAPPS to over 140 ships and submarines in 18 navies worldwide. On the CVF, it will be hosted on a COTS hardware platform and will provide automated monitoring and control of the propulsion, electrical, auxiliary and damage control systems, together with an embedded on-board team trainer. The system will provide the flexibility to enable watch-keeping and damage control teams to operate safely under all operational conditions, while meeting the stringent reduced manning requirements of the project.
The company will perform the project management, systems engineering services, software design and development and system integration at its UK facilities in Bristol, Burgess Hill and Barrow-in-Furness. Additionally, L-3 MAPPS will support the ship build and commissioning efforts.
“Our advanced IPMS system will enable the CVF to maintain its operations under the most adverse conditions,” said Peter Dawson, president of L-3 MAPPS. “We are pleased to be a critical supplier to the CVF programme.”
L-3 has had a long and productive relationship with the Royal Navy, supplying and supporting land-based trainers and platform management systems for major platforms, such as the Royal Navy’s landing platform docks (HM ships, Albion and Bulwark) and Astute class submarines (HM ships, Astute, Ambush and Artful). With partner BAE Integrated Systems Technology, the company is also prime contractor for the 30yr Astute class training service private finance initiative, through its special purpose vehicle, FAST Training Services Ltd., providing a complete scope of crew training for the nuclear powered Astute class submarines.
The UK’s future aircraft carriers are being constructed by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA), consisting of Thales UK, BAE Systems, BVT Surface Fleet, Babcock Marine and Ministry of Defence, which acts as both participant and client. The CVF Power and Propulsion Sub-Alliance is led by Thales Naval (as a member of the ACA) with other members being Converteam, L-3 Communications and Rolls-Royce. As an alliance, it will adopt similar ways of working to the ACA in order to generate performance incentives and minimise integration risks.
To be named HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, the ships will enter service in 2014 and 2016 respectively and, together with the aircraft they will carry, will enable the UK to increase its strategic effect around the world, at a time and place of its choosing.
Marine Systems UK, a subsidiary of L-3 MAPPS, is part of L-3 Marine and Power Systems (M&PS). From bridge to propeller, L-3 M&PS is a leading provider of naval, commercial and offshore products, services and integrated systems for power and control. With more than 71 facilities in over 16 countries, L-3 M&PS has installations on over 400 warships for 18 navies; and products and systems on over 450 commercial vessels around the globe.