Last updated at 16:34, Monday, 29 October 2012

A MULTI-MILLION pound design contract for work on the Successor project has been awarded to the owner’s of Barrow’s shipyard.

BAE Systems today announced a further £315m contract for the design work for the replacement of the Royal Navy’s Vanguard-class submarines.

The announcement follows the news in May this year, when it was revealed the Ministry of Defence had placed an initial £328m design phase contract with BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines.

The Vanguard class, which carries the UK’s nuclear deterrent, will be replaced from 2028.

The four Vanguard submarines, HMS Vanguard, HMS Victorious, HMS Vigilant and HMS Vengeance were all built in Barrow.

BAE Systems already has more than 1,000 employees working on the replacement programme, the majority of which are focused on developing the new submarine’s complex design.

John Hudson, managing director of BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines, said: “The design of a nuclear-powered submarine is one of the most complex and technically demanding engineering programmes undertaken by the maritime industry. This further work underlines the MoD’s confidence in our ability to deliver a design that will meet the future needs of the nation’s nuclear deterrent.

“The design phase is gathering momentum and, behind the scenes, we are working hard to maintain this by ensuring we have the correct skills and resources in place. While more than 1,000 people are involved in the programme, we continue to recruit many more professional design engineers.” Earlier this year BAE Systems announced plans to add a further 280 positions onto the programme, and there remains a requirement for mechanical, electrical power, propulsion, quality and safety engineers, as well as naval architects.

A decision on the final design and build will not be made until 2016, but the Ministry of Defence said detailed work has to take place now.

The first of the new class is due to be delivered in 2028 and will provide the nation’s nuclear deterrent into the 2060s.

The first of the four Vanguards had been due to leave service in 2022, but the government extended the vessels’ lives as part of the 2010 Defence and Security Review.

The shipyard also designed and built the Astute class attack submarines for the Royal Navy and the second boat, Ambush, left Barrow for sea trials in September.

First published at 09:45, Monday, 29 October 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk