Type 23 frigate HMS Kent is to receive a number of significant
upgrades in a substantial refit being undertaken by Babcock at
Rosyth, which has recently started.
In what is a demanding and tightly scheduled project, which will
further demonstrate Babcock's close long-term partnering
relationship with the MoD, the fit of Sonar 2087, the tactical
variable depth active and passive anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
system, will involve significant structural modifications to the
aft end of the ship. Further major upgrades will include the new
DNA(2) Command System (central to the ship's fighting capability
against air, surface and underwater threats); the SeaWolf mid-life
update (SWMLU) comprising tracking, guidance and weapon management
upgrades to counter evolving anti-ship missile threats; the 4.5 Mk8
Mod1 gun replacement; and new 30mm automatic gun fit. HMS Kent will
also receive the new Defence Information Infrastructure (Future)
(DII(F)) system, enabling information sharing and collaborative
working across the defence sector network.
Additional notable upgrades include the 'globalisation' of the
ship's entire ventilation system (involving a re-design of the air
conditioning system for operation in extreme ambient temperatures);
an upgrade to the high pressure air system (which will provide
flexibility of supply); and the fit of an electro-catalytic
chlorination system to provide safe and effective control of
fouling and corrosion in sea water cooling circuits, which will in
turn ensure unrestricted flow of cooling water helping to extend
the life of affected equipment, optimise engine efficiency and aid
efficient fuel consumption, and optimise air conditioning
capacity.
These are among a total of 19 alterations and additions
(A&As) that Babcock will be undertaking, which also include
NATO radial filters to protect fresh air supplies from
contamination, and a sophisticated incident detection system, the
Nuclear Biological Chemical Defence Incident Surveillance System,
as well as a galley equipment upgrade and habitability
improvements, among others. These upgrades will be undertaken
alongside a full programme of deep maintenance including structural
repairs, renewal of hull coatings, and refurbishment and
maintenance of all the ship's systems and equipment.
The programme is a challenging one, with a larger scope of work
than the recent successfully completed refit on HMS Argyll to be
undertaken within the same 50 week timeframe.
Babcock Project Manager Russell Glancy comments: "We will be
building on the success of the recent Argyll contract and notably
on continuing the strong spirit of partnering between all key
stakeholders, including MoD, ship's staff and Babcock, to ensure an
efficient and effective approach to meet the challenges of this
project, deliver optimum value for money, and return HMS Kent on
time and in budget to the MoD and Royal Navy."
MoD Programme Group Manager David Winstanley said: "Following on
from the notable success of HMS Argyll's upkeep period, we are
confident that the embedded partnering ethos will rise to the
challenge of delivering the more demanding Kent programme to the
same high standard achieved on her sister ship."
HMS Kent is due to leave Rosyth following the current upkeep
period in November 2011.