The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded 18-month contract extension to Babcock to support the 4.5in Mk8 Mod1 gun for the Royal Navy.
Under an on-going long-term contractor logistics support (CLS) contract, the company will provide in-service support to the gun systems.
The in-service support includes a 24-hour technical help desk, maintenance and repairs as required, provision of spares such as management of stock levels for maximum cost-efficiency as well as sourcing for obsolete items replacement.
Last year, Babcock also upgraded the 4.5in Mk8 guns to Mod1 standard in a long-term programme, which involved major modification and overhaul work to provide enhanced safety and reliability and a reduced maintenance requirements, as part of the CLS contract.
Babcock business development director John Stratton said the company is also under contracts to provide long-term in-service support for the Phalanx close-in weapon system and to upgrade the Phalanx systems to Block 1B.
"We are delighted to be continuing to support the Mk8 guns in-service to April 2015, following completion of the upgrade programme, having successfully supported the guns over the last eight years (since 2005), ensuring availability to the required levels while minimising stock levels for maximum cost-efficiency," Stratton said.
"We are one of the only companies to provide the MoD with a total weapons facility (a one stop shop for all CLS contracting activities) and we continue to apply this valuable expertise and capability in our on-going availability and system upgrade contracts."
Featuring computer-based test and diagnostics system, the Mk8 Mod1 gun is fitted with new electric drives to enhance safety and power consumption efficiency, while reducing overall weight and below-deck space requirements.
