Vengeance – the Final Refuel
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May 2012 Issue 48 desthe magazine for defenceider equipment and support Vengeance – the final refuel Countdown to DVD – DE&S' industry day for the Land Environment See inside Battlefield Tonnes of Backbone of Praise for Service Broadband progress RAF bombing logistics take-off DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT INFORMATION TO SUPPORT DRAWDOWN AND RETURN TO CONTINGENCY? It’s the information you INTO CORE need, the systems you use and the importance of making the right decision that makes this business- critical. Supply Chain Management l In-theatre Audit l COIEA & Cost Benefit Analysisl Big Data Supportability Engineering l Technical Documentation l ‘What if’ Analysis Information Management l Options Analysis We are exhibiting at DVD on 20th - 21st June Concept 1, Stand C1-05 – come and visit us www.lsc.co.uk UK MOD Crown Copyright 2012 DVD5.indd 1 26/03/2012 14:49:16 FEATURES 19 20 Devonport takes on Vengeance The special status of Devonport as the only place to handle Babcock refuel and deep maintenance of Royal Navy submarines has guaranteed the dockyard's future for years as a contract for the refit and refuel of HMS Vengeance is announced Picture: 22 The backbone of RAF bombing Stocks of the RAF's 'weapon of choice' are to be replenished in a contract to sustain UK jobs. Paveway IV, highly effective during Operation Ellamy in Libya last year, is among the most advanced precision bombs in the world 24 DVD2012 shapes up DVD, DE&S' annual stakeholder event at Millbrook next month, is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the year for those involved in equipment and support for the Land Forces 28 Why defence needs technology cover image Cutting-edge technology went on display to the world at 2012 Abbey Wood as DE&S hosted a variety of equipment and Workers at Devonport have been given reassurances that the dockyard will continue to be a centre for the specifically developed technologies for the defence sector MAY overhaul and maintenance of Royal Navy submarines. HMS Vengeance has entered dry dock at the start of her three-and-a-half-year Long Overhaul Period (Refuel). desider NEWS Assistant Head, Public Relations: Ralph Dunn - 9352 30257 or 0117 9130257 4 Queen Elizabeth – a coming together [email protected] Two of the biggest sections of the 65,000-tonne Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier have been joined Deputy Editor: together in Govan, Glasgow Steve Moore - 9352 30537 or 0117 9130537 [email protected] 6 Praise for a top job The commanding officer of HMS Vigilant has praised Distribution Manager: the work of DE&S and its partners after three-and- Dick Naughton - 9352 34342 or 0117 9134342 a-half-years' work carried out on his submarine [email protected] 7 Typhoon handed five years' support Advertising: A £446 million contract has been placed with Anthon Linton – Ten Alps Publishing, 1 New Oxford BAE Systems for engineering support to the RAF Street, High Holborn, London WC1A 1NU Typhoon fleet for the next five years Tel: +44 (0)20 7657 1819. Fax: +44 (0)207 7379 7155 8 Voyager takes on its first crew [email protected] The first new refuelling aircraft has made its maiden flight with an AirTanker crew at the start of the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft transport service Printing: 15 Personnel handed on-line services Overseas personnel will soon enjoy the same access to online goods and services as they do at home with introduction of new online postcodes desider is distributed free of charge to DE&S employees and the equipment capability sponsor. Copies can also F-35 production gears up at BAES be made available to readers outside the MOD, including 15 those in the defence industries. While the editor takes BAE Systems has opened the latest phase of its care to ensure all material produced is accurate, no F-35 stealth fighter jet manufacturing facility at liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. Views Samlesbury in Lancashire expressed in desider, and the products and services advertised, are not necessarily endorsed by DE&S or the 30 Dragon joins, Dauntless departs MOD. All content for advertorials must be cleared by the HMS Dragon has formally joined the Fleet in a relevant MOD project team before publication. ceremony at Portsmouth while HMS Dauntless has sailed on her first overseas deployment © Crown Copyright 32 Minister praises DE&S logistics staff This magazine is produced on Cocoon Logistics staff have been praised for their work in Silk 90gsm which contains 50 per supporting the Armed Forces during a debate held cent recycled and de-inked pulp from in Westminster post consumer waste and Forest Stewardship Council certified material from well-managed forests. Insider Bernard Gray Chief of Defence Materiel Block move sees Queen Elizabeth take shape TWO OF the biggest sections of the first ‘DE&S is continuing to deliver 65,000-tonne Queen Elizabeth class carrier have been joined together. against its outputs and teams The two giant sections, making up should be justifiably proud of Lower Block 04 which is the aft section of the hull, were brought together in a progress’ two-hour move at BAE Systems' Govan shipyard in Glasgow. The section under construction is now so large, almost the full length of a football pitch, that it stretches beyond Last month, I updated you on • The Trident missile the doors of the ship build hall in which developments on The Materiel submarine HMS Vigilant left it sits. Strategy. You may be aware that Devonport after a three and a half The company used a fleet of 132 DE&S has now begun a soft market year refit by Babcock – meeting one remote controlled transporters to move testing exercise with industry to of DE&S’ strategic milestones for one of the sections weighing more than obtain the market’s view on DE&S the month. The boat’s commanding 4,000 tonnes 100 metres across specially options and explore the potential officer has praised DE&S and reinforced concrete. roles that the private sector Babcock for the high standard of The section was carefully lined might fulfill in any future model. work on the submarine; up with the rest of the block. Workers Ministers will review the DE&S then began the painstaking process options in light of this further work • She was succeeded in of aligning the units and closing the and they intend to make a decision Devonport by the fourth of the five centimetre gap in preparation for later this year. class, HMS Vengeance, which welding the block together. In the meantime, the Interim is now in the early stages of a Rear Admiral Steve Brunton, Structure project continues to similar overhaul following the Director DE&S Ships Acquisition, said: work with the Operating Centre announcement of a £350 million “The successful move of this large part Directors to set out a new structure contract award to Babcock Marine of LB04 and its alignment to the rest in the summer which will enable us by the Secretary of State; of the block ready to join the two parts to meet the staff reduction targets together over the next eight weeks marks that were set out in the SDSR • The first Voyager aircraft a massive step forward in the assembly while ensuring we also meet our supplied under a PFI contract of Queen Elizabeth. outputs safely and professionally. to provide the MOD with a “The visible manifestation of all the The Board is considering a range considerably upgraded air tanker hard work to date on Queen Elizabeth of measures and working with and transport service has flown is already impressive, so to think that Directors to understand the impact under a limited Release to Service, she will begin to be recognisable as an of these measures on output. while air-to-air refuelling trials aircraft carrier very quickly this year is Alongside the significant change continue; an extremely exciting prospect.” we are seeking to deliver, I am ever Steven Carroll, Queen Elizabeth class conscious that DE&S continues to • A £45 million contract Project Director at BAE Systems, added: “Bringing together Lower Block 04 deliver against its principal outputs awarded jointly to QinetiQ and BAE marks the beginning of an exciting stage and that teams should be justifiably Systems which sustains the kind in the block’s life. The team will now shift proud of progress with some of our of expertise in maritime combat systems integration and testing their focus back to outfitting of the block, most important projects. Notable including installing 12,000 pipes and highlights from the past month, all that the MOD has benefited from for the past 40 years. The contracts 100,000 kilometres of cables, ahead of of which are covered by stories in her departure to Rosyth later this year.” this month’s edition, include: deliver a considerable saving and provide a better service to the Housing the two main engine rooms, Royal Navy; a medical area and accommodation, the • The joining of two hull block will weigh more than 11,000 tonnes sections on the Queen Elizabeth • Raytheon UK was on completion, standing more than 23 class carrier at BAE Systems, metres tall, 86 metres long and 40 metres Clyde was subject to wide and awarded a £60 million contract for production of further Paveway IV wide. positive media reporting over the The block, which will be transported Easter holidays. This was very guided bombs – a weapon that has proved itself on operations both to Rosyth in the autumn, will be the last welcome and I expect to see more hull section of HMS Queen Elizabeth to progress on the delivery of major in Afghanistan and during the UN Libyan intervention.