Illustrious arrives at Rosyth

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010

HMS Illustrious arrived at Rosyth today in preparation for a 13 month docking period to start next month, in a £40 million contract awarded under the Surface Ship Support Alliance (the alliance between the MoD, Babcock and BAE Systems).  This is the fifth refit to be undertaken by Babcock on the Invincible class aircraft carriers (CVS) and second to be carried out by the company’s highly experienced team on HMS Illustrious.

HMS Illustrious received a large number of capability upgrades during her last refit by Babcock in 2005, and will receive further upgrades during this upkeep period.  These will include the Defence Information Infrastructure (DII) providing a coherent information infrastructure enabling sharing of information and collaborative working across platforms, and installation of reverse osmosis plants for improved shipboard fresh water production.

Close working between Babcock and the MoD and Royal Navy in advance of the refit has enabled knowledge and experience to be applied to establish a work package that will ensure HMS Illustrious returns to the fleet in optimum condition within the budget parameters, to deliver maximum value for money to the MoD and Royal Navy. 

Various measures have been implemented to maximise efficiency and minimise cost and time in dock.  For example, early surveys of the two funnels has enabled the originally required renewal of both to be reduced to a more cost-effective series of repairs.  Additionally, measures have been put in place to de-risk overhaul times in key areas to aid adherence to schedule, and use of two time windows in advance of the upkeep start date to undertake some initial survey, testing and preparation work on a number of aspects of the programme will also optimise efficiency when the project starts.

In addition to the capability upgrades, major repairs to both funnels, and a full Lloyds Register structural survey, the work to be undertaken on HMS Illustrious includes application of a foul release paint system on the keel, which provides improved fuel efficiency and speed through the water.  High pressure air and salt water systems will be overhauled, as will all 200 underwater valves.  Additionally the flight deck and hangar deck paint coatings will be renewed, and work undertaken to the diesel generators.

Habitability upgrades for the 682 crew and 366 aircrew will include revitalising the mess decks, as well as galley equipment upgrades for improved catering facilities, and the chilled water and air conditioning plants will also be overhauled. 

Babcock project manager Charlie Forrester, leading the refit project, commented: “Many of the team involved in this docking period have been involved in all four previous CVS refit contracts and we have a wealth of platform knowledge and experience to take forward onto Illustrious.  We are looking forward to the challenge of another CVS upkeep at Rosyth, and to working closely with the MoD, ship’s staff, and all internal and external stakeholders, and to returning Illustrious on-time and in the best possible material condition, fully capable, fighting fit and ready to perform her operational duties providing forced strike projection anywhere in the world.”

David Winstanley, Clyde Director (Rosyth) Project General Manager, said: “The MoD upkeep team at Rosyth are looking forward to working in partnership with Babcock and ship’s staff to deliver this upkeep project against challenging budget and programme requirements.”

Cdr Martin Douglas, Senior Naval Officer for the upkeep period, commented: "The ship's company and I are looking forward to working with the team in Rosyth to deliver Illustrious back to the Fleet as one of the key elements of the Royal Navy's continued Carrier Strike development."

HMS Illustrious will be docking in No.2 Dock at Rosyth, alongside No.1 Dock where Babcock will be undertaking the assembly and integration of the massive new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.  

HMS Illustrious will sail from Rosyth in spring 2011 for sea trials before returning to the Fleet.   She will remain operational until her out of service date after the commissioning of the new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.   During the upgrade, HMS Ark Royal will become flagship of the Royal Navy fleet.

Babcock International’s Marine Division undertakes 75% of the UK’s surface fleet refit, maintenance and regeneration at Rosyth and Devonport, deploying its considerable breadth and depth of experience and expertise, and unique facilities and infrastructure, to support all classes of ship.  Babcock is also a tier one partner in the Surface Ship Support Alliance, the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier Alliance, and the Naval Design Partnership.

Source: Babcock