Babcock has begun work on a short term scoping study into
land-based propulsion system testing capabilities in support of the
SEA1000 future submarine, under a contract awarded to Babcock at
the end of 2011 by the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO).
Babcock has been contracted to undertake a study into the
possible requirement for a Submarine Propulsion Energy, Support and
Integration Facility (SPESIFy), which would inform engineering
development of the future submarines. The scope of the study
includes identification of the benefits that can be realised from
such land-based test facilities, and the related technology
de-risking aspects.
A report released last month (December 2011) into Australia's
Submarine Design Capabilities and Capacities identified that
submarine propulsion systems is an area in which Australia needs to
build expertise, and suggested land-based development and test
facilities may be a way to begin that process.
Babcock has assembled a team of Australian and worldwide domain
knowledge specialists to conduct the study from its Adelaide
office. Babcock will draw on its own staff with knowledge of
submarine land based propulsion and energy, test, integration and
support systems. In addition it has engaged others with
specific expertise of conventional submarine propulsion and energy
systems, including Frazer-Nash Consultancy, Converteam, Ricardo and
PMB.
To ensure informed analysis and innovative solutions, Babcock
has involved Sydac, IPACS and Australian SMEs with cutting edge
expertise in novel propulsion test and integration as well as the
best European expertise in the state of the art facilities,
together with Ryder Levett Bucknall, Australian experts in
feasibility stage building costing and program definition
Commenting on the contract, Babcock Strategic Development
Director Ken Grove said: "We are delighted to be undertaking this
study in support of the SEA 1000 Future Submarine Project, which
has been described as the biggest and most complex defence project
Australia has ever embarked upon. In delivering this contract
we will be applying our extensive knowledge and expertise in
generating effective, available submarines to the fleet".
Under the six month contract, Babcock will deliver the findings
of study to the DMO by mid 2012.