HMS Vanguard

BAE Systems has awarded a contract to Babcock to provide system definition (SD) in support of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) strategic nuclear deterrent Vanguard-class replacement submarines programme.

Babcock will develop the tactical weapons handling and launch system (WHLS) and submerged signal ejector (SSE) for the submarine programme.

Babcock Defence Systems Technology director, Jeff Lewis, said that the company will provide SD at reduced risk and cost of development, and aims to minimise through-life costs of the WHLS, SSE and the overall platform.

The WHLS and SSE system features include weapon alignment, shock mounting, the air turbine pump (ATP) and firing air system.

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"Babcock will develop the tactical weapons handling and launch system (WHLS) and submerged signal ejector (SSE) for the submarine programme."

In addition to vertical embarkation and modular torpedo launch tubes, Babcock will equip the systems with weapon loading mechanism to enable weapons to be loaded from both tiers using the same mechanism under the terms of the contract.

Babcock will also integrate stowages to provide a pre-assembled solution, designed to accelerate installation times during build, and reduce overall assembly costs and improved launch control system.

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In order to reduce risk while developing new designs and technologies, the firm plans to conduct prototype testing, additional modelling and analysis.

BAE Systems-built Vanguard-class submarines have been designed to carry 16 missile tubes and Trident II D5 nuclear missiles and are equipped with two SSE Mark 10 launchers for deployment of Type 2066 and 2071 decoys.

Image: HMS Vanguard cruising on sea surface. Photo: courtesy of Royal Navy.