Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

[happyslapper]

Contracts worth £333m have been awarded by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA) to companies across the United Kingdom to help build the Royal Navy's new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

Five sub-contracts have been awarded to suppliers from Glasgow to Portsmouth for equipment to be installed on the ships and services for their assembly, bringing the total value of sub-contracts awarded so far on the programme to almost £1.1bn.

These contracts and sub-contracts represent the vast majority of the equipment orders for the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers.

The two future aircraft carriers will form the cornerstone of the UK's naval capability and will be the largest, most capable and powerful warships ever constructed in the UK. They will be a highly versatile and potent joint defence asset, able to meet the widest range of tasks around the world throughout their expected service life of around 50 years.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said:

"This news should reassure those who doubt this Government's commitment to the programme. These sub-contracts will contribute thousands of jobs throughout the supply chain in addition to the thousands of jobs at the main shipyards which are building the ships.

"The build phase of the carrier programme is now well underway. The first units have already been delivered to Rosyth where these ships - the cornerstone of the Royal Navy of the future - will be assembled."



Sub-contracts have been awarded by the ACA to:

• Imtech Marine and Offshore Ltd in Billingham, Teesside, and Portsmouth for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, worth £120m.
• Ship Support Services Ltd based near Rosyth for paint and scaffolding for the build process, worth £105m (SSS Ltd is a joint venture formed between Pyeroy in Gateshead and Cape in Wakefield).
• Henry Abrams in Glasgow for transport of sections of the ship from the yards across the UK to Rosyth for final assembly, worth £85m.
• Tyco in Manchester for fixed fire fighting systems, worth £15m, and
• AEI Cables in Birtley, County Durham, for much of the 2,500km of cabling to be installed, worth £8m.

Head of Capital Ships at the MOD's Defence Equipment and Support, Tony Graham, said:

"The award of these contracts is evidence that the project is progressing well and momentum continues to grow. The project is successfully hitting its construction milestones and these contracts will help us meet our overall delivery plan. This work is particularly important for sustaining jobs and growing skills."

ACA Programme Director, Geoff Searle, said:

"I am delighted to announce these substantial contracts for work on the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier programme, covering the vital services that run throughout the ships, as well as essential elements of the actual shipbuild process itself. Most of these contracts, placed for the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, will support local economies and jobs throughout the UK regions.

"The ACA has achieved many substantial milestones in the last 12 months, including commencing work on the build of HMS Queen Elizabeth in four UK shipyards and completing work on the huge Number One Dock in Rosyth where the ships will finally be assembled. Continuing this level of momentum is essential and the signing of these contracts is testimony that it will continue through 2010 and beyond."

The contract to build the two new aircraft carriers was signed on 3 July 2008. Funding for these new equipment contracts forms part of the existing financial commitment by the MOD announced under this original contract.




118 million British pounds order for high-tech climate technology on board the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers for the UK Royal Navy

January 14 2010

Gouda / Hamburg - Imtech (technical services provider in Europe and in the global maritime market) has been awarded a design & build contract for the high-tech climate technology aboard the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers being built for the British Royal Navy. The order represents a value of more than 118 million British pounds (about 130 million euro). The ships, which are 280 metres long, are the largest naval ships ever to be built in the UK.

René van der Bruggen, CEO of Imtech: ‘Imtech was able to satisfy the Royal Navy’s strict requirements, both in terms of technology and references demonstrating our ability to equip ships of this size with high-tech climate technology. This order is a confirmation of our know-how and expertise in the field of naval technology. Moreover, it makes an important contribution to the long-term continuity of our marine business.’

Design & build

The two aircraft carriers are about 65,000 tons each, a size between the American ‘Nimitz class’ and the French ‘Charles de Gaulle class’. The high-tech design & build order is a direct order from Babcock Marine, a member of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance. The order comprises a total solution for the technical design, engineering, equipment, supply, installation and set-up of all HVAC systems (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) on board both of the ships. The order was awarded to the German business unit Imtech Schiffbau-/Dockbautechnik. A sizeable share of the activities will be performed in co-operation with the English business unit Imtech Marine UK, which recently has executed several other projects for the British Royal Navy. Both business units are part of the Imtech Marine Group, Imtech’s marine division. The ships are being built at five English shipyards with final assembly at Rosyth, Scotland. HMS Queen Elizabeth is scheduled to enter service by 2016 and HMS Prince of Wales will follow two years later.

Experience counts

For decades, Imtech has been a leading, innovative partner for HVAC technology aboard naval ships, both for new-build projects as well as conversions, maintenance and services. Since 2005, Imtech has been involved with the predesign, pre-engineering and technical design of the two aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy. Imtech is one of the few technical companies in the marine market to possess extensive knowledge of high-tech, complex, full-scope HVAC project implementation, including logistics. As a result, Imtech is the European market leader in full-scope HVAC solutions aboard large cruise ships up to over 350 metres long. In recent years, Imtech has worked on HVAC technology on board German, Dutch, English, Spanish, Polish and Australian frigates, supply ships and corvettes. Imtech is currently working on sustainable HVAC technology on board four new German F125 frigates.

Imtech: strong player in global naval market

With annual revenues of about 500 million euro and 2,400 employees, Imtech (Imtech Marine Group) is one of the strongest players in the global maritime market, operating as a full-service provider of integrated solutions for platform automation, propulsion (including electric propulsion), energy generation/distribution, communication/navigation, integrated ship’s bridges, air conditioning & climate technology and multimedia/entertainment. Imtech operates a global service network made up of more than 70 offices in 20 countries along the world’s main shipping routes and near major shipbuilding centres.

AEI Cables lands £8m contract for landmark aircraft carrier project


LEADING UK manufacturer AEI Cables has been awarded a prestigious £8m contract to supply cables to help build the next generation of aircraft carriers for the British fleet - the largest ships to enter service in the UK.


The Aircraft Carrier Alliance awarded the prestigious contract to the company, based at Birtley, Co Durham, for the Royal Navy Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier Programme.


AEI Cables will be designing and manufacturing the full range of cable and wiring to supply power, lighting, data communications, fire protection and alarm circuits which need to operate in the most demanding of conditions. The 2,500km of cable for the project would stretch further than from Birtley where AEI has its headquarters to Moscow.


The carriers will be the biggest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed for the Royal Navy and represent a step change in capability, enabling the delivery of increased strategic effect and influence around the world.


Jim Duffy, Chief Executive of AEI Cables, said: “We’re delighted to win such a major contract and contribute to such an innovative, ground-breaking project.


“This award recognises our technical expertise and manufacturing capability as our products are required to meet the very highest levels of quality and safety standards.”


The development programme is being run by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, whose Programme Director Geoff Searle said: “Once in service, these ships will provide the UK Armed Forces with a vital and extensive naval capability, so it is equally important that we use suppliers who will share the ACA’s commitment to ensuring that together we deliver the best ships possible to the Royal Navy.


“Equally as important, most of these contracts, placed for the Aircraft Carrier Alliance will support local economies and jobs throughout the UK regions.


“The ACA has achieved many substantial milestones in the last 12 months, including commencing work on the build of HMS Queen Elizabeth in four UK shipyards and completing work on the huge Number One Dock in Rosyth where the ships will finally be assembled. Continuing this level of momentum is essential and the signing of these contracts is testimony that it will continue through 2010 and beyond.”

[happyslapper]

UK Carrier build gains momentum

The Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA) is forging ahead on the Queen Elizabeth (QE) Class, having recently made contract awards worth £325 million that will drive momentum into the ongoing build of HMS Queen Elizabeth.

On 14 January, Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy MP visited Govan to welcome the contracts which have been placed in Scotland. Following the visit, he said:
"These contract awards are great news for Glasgow, the Scottish economy and Scottish jobs. There has never been any doubt how important the aircraft carriers are to Scotland as a multibillion pound project securing thousands of jobs."

The contracts have been awarded to five new suppliers to the Queen Elizabeth (QE) Class Aircraft Carrier Programme and will provide a number of vital services and parts for the ships, including fire fighting equipment and the transportation for the massive super blocks from the build yards across the UK to Rosyth for final assembly.

The award of these contracts by the Alliance is a clear indication of the progress that is being made on the QE Class programme and the momentum achieved in 2009. In total, the Alliance is expected to award around £1.5 billion of contracts across the programme.


Jim Murphy MP shown plans for HMS Queen Elizabeth by ship manager John Morrison

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Quentin Davies said:
"This news should reassure those who doubt this Government's commitment to the programme. These sub-contracts will contribute thousands of jobs throughout the supply chain in addition to the thousands of jobs at the main shipyards which are building the ships.
"The build phase of the Carrier programme is now well under way. The first units have already been delivered to Rosyth where these ships - the cornerstone of the Royal Navy of the future - will be assembled."

The innovative ACA is a single integrated team formed from Babcock, BAE Systems, Thales UK and the MOD (which acts as both partner and client). It is responsible for delivering the Queen Elizabeth Class ships to time and cost.


HMS QE taking shape at Govan

The contract to build the two new Aircraft Carriers for the Royal Navy was signed on 3rd July 2008. The carriers will be the biggest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed for the UK and represent a step change in Joint Capability. They will enable the delivery of increased strategic effect and influence around the world, at a time and place of the UK's choosing, and will be a key component of the improved expeditionary capabilities needed to confront the diverse range of threats in today's security environment.

http://baesystems.com/AboutUs/UKCarr...ntum/index.htm

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My comment:
Despite those that love to be merchants of doom, this progress report gives a clear indication of just how well the ships are progressing. They are on time, and seem to be on budget, as well as having ongoing political support.
It's great to finally see some photos of the beast herself, and shows just how massive she will be. That photo shows only the lowest keel section, but already dwarfs the beam of Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan seen in the background (which is no dinghy at >8000tonnes).

[ServerStalker]

Good to see her take shape !

[MBB F-104G]

Good to see her take shape !

x2. I hope the British get their financial issues solved, I'd love to see these two ships being finally launched for the RN.

[ServerStalker]

x2. I hope the British get their financial issues solved, I'd love to see these two ships being finally launched for the RN.

Same here I think they will look great leaving port with the type 45s.

[Derbedeu]

x3.

I can't wait to see them. With the Type 45s, the Astute class submarines, and these two babies, the UK will have a first class navy!

[NavyTimes]

I simply never get tired of the process of building a ship, they way you are seeing very rough modules like the one pictured coming together to form the hull, and then seing that shell of the ship coming to life.

These two vessels will be a major boost to the whole european defense society, and they are a role model to strive towards for the rest of us.

[SDL]

HMS QE taking shape at Govan]

Brilliant to see it taking shape....

[Little J]

Hope Discovery Channel or someone is there documenting all this, it would be a fascinating programme to watch.

[xav]

Nice!

And FUUUUUuuu to France for "missing the boat" and not signing for CVF FR.

Is this a T45 in the background?

[happyslapper]

Yes - the future HMS Duncan.

[fish_b]

Wow seems like Britain may yet again wield a mighty navy like tho ones i read an saw on documentaries. Is Germany,Spain and Italy gonna go for some of these babyes ?

Also i saw on a documentary on discovery science about some new MAC or Gauss guns that were beeing tested for ground and sea warfare. Some of them were supposed to make a massive improvement to the air defences on ships via the very long range and such. Any hope we might see some of those beasts on these sweet lil' babies ? Or are they still experimental ?

[ChrisBV]

Great to see HMS Queen Elizabeth finally taking shape.

Question: currently - as far as I know - the RN keeps one carrier on active duty and the other one in reserve/refit, which means there's at least one full battle group available for deployment at any given time. But with two new supercarriers on their way, how will the RN cope with the needs for providing enough ships for two carrier task groups, considering the reductions in the surface fleet? Three Type 23 have already been sold to Chile (and rumours going around - at least in this part of the World - may indicate that perhaps two additional ships could be decommissioned anytime soon) and the Type 22 frigates and Type 42 destroyers won't last long as well; of course, they will be replaced by the Type 45 'Daring' class destroyers, but again, it would seem that the RN is reducing itself in size and, although it's clear that it is improving in capabilities and technology, that also means that there will be less ships available to accompany the two massive supercarriers, significantly larger than the 'Invincible' class carriers in service today.

[DeltaWhisky58]

Hello Chris - our esteemed (not) and soon to be redundant leaders haven't seen fit to share the fully story with us so far. All sorts of rumours have flown around about the CVF carriers, but none have been confirmed/denied so far, so your guess is as good as mine.

Until the publication of the Strategic Defence Review later this year, it's pure speculation at best - only time will tell.

[james21]

According to Navy Matters only one of the carriers will be fully operational, to quote..

Normally there will be only one fully operational or "high-readiness" CVF, probably honoured with the designation "Fleet Flagship", with an air group available. The second carrier will be in refit, working-up, engaged in trials or training duties, or otherwise non-operational.


The MoD wants at least a six-year interval between CVF dockings, and a maximum upkeep period of no more than six months. The CVF Alliance is required to guarantee the continuous availability of at least one ship, and a total availability including both ships of 584 ship days a year (actual 'sea days' may be considerably less). This is demanding new and innovative approaches to warship maintenance and support, and also the adoption of the TOPMAST manning structure for crewing. As an interesting comparison, over the five years 1999-2003, the three Invincible class carriers managed an average total of 208 sea days per annum.

http://frn.beedall.com/cvf1-27.htm
Also regarding the future replacements for the type 22/23 a few designs have appeared and BAE released an artists impression just the other day.

A few pictures on the following link

http://warships1discussionboards.yuk...kes-Shape.html