Babcock has started work on a substantial Revalidation and
Assisted Maintenance Period (RAMP) for Trafalgar class nuclear
powered attack submarine (SSN) HMSTorbay, at Devonport Royal
Dockyard. The 300,000 manhour RAMP will ensure the submarine
is safe to operate for the rest of her commission, and will include
significant communications upgrades and work that will improve
camouflage and minimise operating noise.
Communications upgrades will include improvements to internal
communications, especially through bulkheads, with the installation
of the Cromwell radio antenna upgrade, and final installation of
the Ship Alongside upgrade which is used in harbour to provide
connectivity, television and telephone services on board.
Torbay's RAMP will also mark a 'first' with an extensive
painting package to better camouflage the submarine when operating
in shallow waters. A high level of work is expected to be
included as a result of surveys, particularly in the ballast and
internal tanks, and it is likely that the submarine tailshaft will
be replaced (requiring some 33 weeks in dry dock).
As well as inspection of the hull and propulsion systems, the
RAMP will accommodate a significant amount of non-destructive
testing and inspection of the major components in the reactor
compartment. Torbaywill be the final submarine to undergo an
upgrade to the discharge system that provides an additional
above-waterline connection to the primary circuit, providing an
improved relief path used during high pressure testing known as hot
lifts (undertaken as part of the commissioning programme).
Babcock boat manager Jon Lewis points out that the sheer volume
of work to be contained within the RAMP creates an enormous
challenge in terms of balancing resources, as well as challenges
around the painting package which has significant interface with
other work on the pressure hull such as upgrades to the submarine's
sonar system.
"We will develop and refine the Earned Value Management (EVM)
project management technique, first rolled out for HMSTalent's
RAMP, to ensure we maintain a broad view of progress across the
whole platform," Lewis said. "Project milestones such as
dock-down and flood-up are important pace markers in a submarine's
RAMP but cannot be achieved in isolation. EVM enables us to
take a more holistic view of progress and project status against
budget, and ensure we keep the whole project on track."
Babcock's close working with the MoD and Royal Navy is key to
the success of the RAMP, to combine Babcock's knowledge and
experience to lead the planning of the RAMP project with the
detailed specialist knowledge of the ship's company to ensure
emphasis is placed on addressing key issues, and input from the
intelligent customer (comprising MoD and Royal Navy staff) to help
manage the interface with the Design Authorities.
Lewis states: "The RAMP is very much a joint project between
Babcock, MoD and ship's staff. Together we will shape this
project and deliver it, to schedule, cost and quality."
MoD Project Contract Manager for RAMPs, Cdr Martin Gill, said:
"Torbay's RAMP is the largest package to date but I have every
confidence that by utilising the improved planning, communication
and execution processes the Joint Project Team will complete the
RAMP on time and return a more capable and safeTorbayto the Fleet
ready to operate for the rest of her commission."