26 Jun 02. BAE SYSTEMS announced its strategy for the design and build of Future Carrier, the Heart of the UK’s Future Force Projection Capability. Chris Geoghegan, BAE SYSTEMS Chief Operating Officer and Nigel Stewart, Managing Director of the BAE SYSTEMS Future Carrier Team, gave a full overview of the BAE SYSTEMS team’s proposals and strategy for the design, engineering, build and through-life support of the Royal Navy’s two new Future Carriers.
BAE SYSTEMS has assembled a unique team to deliver the Future Carrier capability to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) – Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin,AMS, Vosper Thornycroft, Rolls-Royce, Babcock BES, Strachan & Henshaw, Fleet Support Ltd., QinetiQ, BAE SYSTEMS Marine and Swan Hunter.
Team Commonality with partners Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Vosper Thornycroft and Rolls-Royce across other force projection elements – such as the Type 45 Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer, the Joint Combat Aircraft (the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter) and a possible Maritime Airborne Surveillance and Control (MASC) solution – brings the benefits of synergies, efficiencies, familiarity in working relationships, and confidence in the sharing of confidential data.
BAE SYSTEMS is working closely with its Future Carrier partners to bring creativity and innovation into the design of the carriers. This includes innovative hull and island designs, as well as systems such as automated weapons and munitions handling. Innovation also includes the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and the application of technology from other programmes, such as the Type 45 Destroyer and from other industries, such as commercial aviation and commercial shipbuilding. This innovative approach ensures that the solutions chosen add real value for money through life.
The integration of Future Carrier with its associated force projection elements is central to the BAE SYSTEMS approach. The recent reorganisation of the company has established the C4ISR division, concentrating on systems architectures both within a platform and between platforms. The C4ISR division, along with AMS, is playing a key role within the team developing integrated solutions and capabilities for the Future Carrier.
The BAE SYSTEMS Future Carrier team benefits from a wide range of aviation expertise, both from within its own Air Systems business, and from partners Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. It has assembled a unique ship / aviation interface team of experts with deep knowledge and experience of UK operations and culture, together with United States Navy carrier experience. With its additional aircraft design and build experience, the team has a unique bank of aviation know-how.
To develop a yard-endorsed design and build strategy, BAE SYSTEMS has established an integrated shipbuilding team, with partners Vosper Thornycroft of Portsmouth, Swan Hunter of Newcastle, Babcock BES of Rosyth and BAE SYSTEMS Marine of Barrow-in-Furness and the Clyde.
In addition, Northrop Grumman brings significant experience in the design and build of aircraft carriers, through their work on similar programmes for the United States government through both its Ship Systems and Newport News Shipbuilding businesses.
A key aim of the teaming is to develop a coherent industrial strategy for the whole of the UK warship building industry to support future domestic and export business.
Such a strategy is already being developed on the BAE SYSTEMS Type 45 D Class Destroyer programme and should continue to evolve through Future Carrier and subsequent UK and export programmes.
The partner shipyards are working with the BAE SYSTEMS Future Carrier team to
optimise their potential involvement, with regard to capacity, resources and skill base. Studies of individual facilities are being produced and will be submitted to the team shortly.
The planned modular, multi-yard build strategy means that the integrated team is wor