Babcock Bags WHLS and SSE Support Deal

Babcock has been awarded a five year contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to support the Weapon Handling and Launch System (WHLS) and Submerged Signal Ejector (SSE) equipment used on all classes of UK in-service submarines, and their associated training rigs.

Under the firm priced target availability contract, Babcock will assume the role of Technical Authority for this equipment, and is responsible for the provision and management of all capital spares and repairs. The role includes engineering support at the waterfront at any UK port and overseas support as required, equipment safety management to meet statutory requirements, maintenance of equipment documentation and manuals, obsolescence management, and inventory management, as well as development of equipment availability improvement solutions.

Babcock Defence Systems Technology UK In-Sevice Support Business Manager Jasper Saunders, who led the successful bid, said: “Babcock has previously supported the WHLS and SSE equipment on UK submarines and provided technical support and spares under different contracts, but assuming the role of Technical Authority under this new contract will permit a greater level of automony regarding design improvements and the provision of proactive support to the waterfront maintenance staff and the end user of the equipment, which will support the MoD’s drive to increase platform availability.”

He continued: “Using Babcock’s substantial inventory management and modelling capabilities we will be able to drive down the cost of ownership to the MoD over the duration of the contract, and assist in the reduction of current stockholding levels while ensuring demand requirements are met.”

Babcock Defence Systems Technology Head of Systems Support, Ralph Rizk, said: “This is a great achievement by the team. It reiterates the trust the customer places in Babcock and, in turn, our on-going commitment to provide a specialist value for money service, with increased responsibilities tailored to share the challenges facing the MoD and Royal Navy.”

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Press Release, June 19, 2014; Image: australiandefence.com.au