Astute Class Nuclear Submarines

[Michael H. Standart]

From DefenceNews.com:

U.K., BAE Agree on Nuclear Submarine Costs

quote:

Negotiations over the price of two nuclear submarines being constructed for the U.K. Royal Navy by BAE Systems could be coming to a close.
In its response to a Parliamentary Defence Committee investigation into major procurement programs, Ministry of Defence officials revealed on Feb. 27 that government negotiators and BAE Submarine Solutions had agreed on a deal, but that it still required endorsement by the hierarchy of the two sides.
Neither the government nor BAE would comment on the status of the pricing plan.
In December, the Defence Committee report expressed surprise that no price had been settled upon, particularly because that meant the financial liability to the MoD on building the boats was open-ended.
The deal relates to Boats 2 and 3 now being assembled at BAE’s nuclear submarine yard at Barrow-in-Furness. If the prices are approved, a new order for the fourth of the Astute-class boats is expected to rapidly follow.
The National Audit Office, a government watchdog, reported in November the forecast cost of the first batch of three vessels was 3.6 billion pounds ($7.1 billion).

For the rest of the story, go to http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2593778&C=navwar

Comment: Definately something to keep an eye on. Since the Royal Navy has staked everything on nuclear powered submarines for their undersea arm, they really can't afford to screw this up.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From CBS News:

Carlyle and BAE ‘split’ on subs deal

quote:

THE race to control Britain’s nuclear-submarine industry has taken an unexpected twist with a looming split between BAE Systems and Carlyle Group, the American private-equity firm.

BAE and Carlyle were the Ministry of Defence’s “dream-team” to bid for Devonport Management Limited (DML), which runs a key maintenance and support base for the submarine fleet. DML has been put up for sale by KBR, the US group that is its majority shareholder, with UBS appointed to handle the auction.

But it emerged last night that BAE and Carlyle were considering making rival bids. First-round offers are due in this week. “They have not decided yet – it could go either way in the next few days,” said a source close to BAE and Carlyle.

For the rest of the story, go to http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article1529997.ece

Also from The Times OnLine:

Suitors line up to bid for nuclear submarine facility

quote:

Four companies are preparing to bid for the nuclear submarine maintenance facility at Devonport in a move that could see BAE Systems wrap up the entire £25 billion Trident replacement contract, The Times has learnt.

BAE, Babcock, Carlyle Group and General Dynamics are all understood to have asked UBS, which is handling the sale of Devonport, for a prospectus.

Story at http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article1522567.ece

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From MSNBC.com Financial:

Carlyle bids to wrest work from BAE

quote:

Carlyle, the US private equity firm, has offered to take over the running of Britain's multi-billion pound nuclear submarine-building programme, in a direct challenge to BAE Systems, the UK's biggest arms maker.

The buyout group has established strong ties with the Ministry of Defence after leading the privatisation of Qinetiq, the former defence research laboratories. However, its attempt to take a lead role in such a strategically important sector will be controversial.

Story at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18444420/

Comment: This ought to go over real well with BAE. Not!

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From the BBC:

Alien submarine breaks technical barriers

quote:

"It's a mean looking beast. I think it looks like the alien," remarks Chris Nelson of BAE Systems, as we walk round the front of the Royal Navy's new Astute submarine in Barrow.

Looming above us is a construction shed 12 storeys high. Within it are three nuclear-powered submarines at different stages of construction.

And as a huge, red neon sign reminds the workforce, the first one is now just 32 days away from launch.

But to judge by the scaffolding surrounding it, it's hard to believe it's going to be ready on time.

Story at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6625477.stm

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Independant:

Babcock and Carlyle left to fight it out in £350m chase for Devonport

quote:

Babcock International, the engineering group, has pulled into pole position in the £350m auction for DML after two rival bidders dropped out to leave Carlyle, the private equity giant, as the only other suitor for the Devonport submarine yard.

BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce are believed to have pulled out. UBS, the bank running the auction, extended the original deadline of last Friday until Tuesday after the remaining suitors requested more time.

Story at http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2516622.ece

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Telegraph.co.uk:

Babcock buys Navy fitter for £350m

quote:

The planned restructuring of Britain's shipbuilding and maintenance industry moved a step forward yesterday with news that engineering services company Babcock is to pay £350m for the company that owns Devonport Dockyard, which refits and refuels the Royal Navy's submarine fleet.

Story at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/05/11/cnbab11.xml

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Times OnLine:

Navy orders new submarine

quote:

BARROW-IN-FURNESS A nuclear-powered submarine to be called HMS Audacious was ordered yesterday.

It is the first time the Royal Navy has had a warship with this name since the First World War. The last was a battleship that was mined and sunk in 1914.

Story at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1821343.ece

 

[Stanley C Jenkins]

Has anybody mentioned the recent launch of HMS Astute, at Barrow-in-Furness, on Friday 8 June? This new submarine is said to be the first of a class of seven, or perhaps eight. She has an overall length of 318 ft and a displacement of 7,400 tons. Armaments comprise Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles. The vessel was "launched" by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

I think I put the news in the General Navies thread. I thought it interesting that they used beer brewed by Astute's crew to christen the ship.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy News:

Astute's All Fired Up

quote:

THE silent service's newest boat has successfully fired torpedos and cruise missiles for the first time — all from the safety of a dockyard basin.

For the rest, go to http://www.navynews.co.uk/view-story.aspx?articleID=13

Comment: Yes, these were dummy weapons. They didn't actually go anywhere beyond bobbing up to the surface after being discharged from the torpedo tubes, but they did verify that the systems actually work.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From BYM Maritime:

Nuclear submarine Astute takes first underwater tests

quote:

The Royal Navy's newest and most advanced nuclear submarine, ASTUTE, is taking her first dive for an underwater test of her systems.

The 'Trim and Basin Dive' is taking place in Devonshire Dock, Barrow, over two days, and involves submerging ASTUTE in a dive hole large enough for the 100M-long, 7400 tonne boat.

For the rest, see http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=17417

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Times OnLine:

Navy’s ultra-modern nuclear sub breaks down with faulty oil pump

quote:

The most technologically advanced submarine built for the Royal Navy, which has a sonar capable of tracking ship movements across thousands of miles, is in the repair shop after its most basic part failed at the first test.

One of the million components that make up HMS Astute, the first of a new generation of nuclear-powered hunter-killer submarines, stopped working and caused serious damage.

For the rest, see http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3095445.ece

Comment: The newsies just love stuff like this. Yes, the failure of an oil pump is a serious problem, but this is a new class of ship and problems just go with the territory. Especially with the lead ship. It'll be made right, but that won't grab the headlines.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From BYM:

UK & USA. Northrop Grumman to supply Platform Management System for Royal Navy Astute Class Submarine

quote:

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been chosen to provide the Platform Management System (PMS) for the next Royal Navy Astute Class submarine, HMS Audacious.
BAE Systems has selected Northrop Grumman's Sperry Marine business unit as the preferred bidder to supply the PMS for the fourth Astute-Class submarine. The PMS will control and monitor platform machinery and on board systems.

Full story at http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=24278

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From Stockhouse.com:

Wind River Powers New Generation of Periscope on Royal Navy's Next-Generation Astute Class Submarines

quote:

Royal Navy's new Astute-class submarines will be using Thales UK's non-hull penetrating, optronic mast. The state-of-the-art electro-optic system will allow greater flexibility in boat design and provide improved surface visibility without giving away the position of the submarine. The optronic mast will be powered by Wind River (NASDAQ:WIND) VxWorks mission-critical real-time operating system (RTOS), it was announced today.

Full story at http://www.stockhouse.com/News/USReleasesDetail.aspx?n=6874089

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From All News, Royal Navy Live:

Medal Recognition of Excellent Service

quote:

As part of the continuing link between the Royal Navy and the United States Navy HMS Astute recently played host to both the First Sea Lord and the Chief of Naval Operations.

Story at http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12863/changeNav/6568