GBP 200 M Investment in UK Submarine Expertise

(September 3, 2008) -- The MOD has made a multimillion pound investment in the UK's maritime industry, to secure the hi-tech skills and expertise needed to continue supporting our current submarine fleet on operations, and develop the technology for future generations.

Under a 15 year contract worth pound200m awarded to UK research establishment QinetiQ, the Maritime Strategic Capabilities Agreement (MSCA) will secure the MOD's access to a range of scientific expertise and maritime research facilities. These include:

- The Ocean Basin at Haslar which is the largest in Europe complete with a sophisticated wave machine, used to assess the design and manoeuvrability of scale models of submarines and ships in different sea conditions;
- Ship Towing Tank;
- Shock Laboratory Machines; and
- a range of experts in submarine hydrodynamics, structure and survivability and maritime life support.

Making the announcement at QinetiQ's Haslar site in Portsmouth, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Baroness Taylor said:

"As part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, the MOD is committed to investing in high level technical expertise in the UK to sustain a dynamic engineering industry. Hydromechanics, Submarine Structures and Life Support are three key areas for such investment. MSCA through QinetiQ will provide access to, advanced modelling of submarine hull forms for the MoD's future submarine programme, sophisticated chemical analysis for atmosphere control in in-service submarines and hydrodynamic facilities for the detailed testing of the innovative hull to be used by the Royal Navy's new aircraft carriers. It will also ensure emergency advice is immediately available when required to keep our fleets operating safely today."

Admiral Tibbitt, Director General Safety and Engineering at MOD Defence Equipment and Support added:

"The MSC Agreement secures the long term availability of cutting edge submarine and marine science expertise necessary both to support the continued safe running of today's flotilla, which is a duty of care that we must exercise when operating in our demanding environment, and to enable the design of future submarines and vessels, such as the Vanguard Class successor"

Source : UK MoD

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