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TIDESPRING, the first Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Tide-class tankers, has arrived home in the UK

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Naval Defence Industry News - UK
 
 
 
TIDESPRING, the first Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Tide-class tankers, has arrived home in the UK
 
As military vessels become even more complex it becomes critical that integrated systems work under the strictest of conditions and are proven and extremely reliable. Servowatch Systems Limited (Servowatch), a leading UK supplier of advanced integrated ship control systems, is supplying its highly capable Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) to all four Tide-class vessels for the UK RFA.
     
TIDESPRING, the first Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Tide-class tankers, has arrived home in the UKThe first of the newest support ships for the Royal Navy, RFA Tidespring, has arrived in Cornwall for customisation, helping to sustain 300 UK jobs. Picture: © Crown copyright 2017
     
“The Servowatch IPMS management model has been specifically designed for the marine market. Based on a continuous development concept, it is a proven performer with an unrivalled pedigree,” says: Stafford Williams, Head of Research and Development.

“Designed from the ground up using the graceful degradation principle, and employing multiple levels of redundancy, synchronised databases in each node, and cluster management, the system is optimised for survivability in hostile environments,” he adds.

SSL’s scope of supply comprises an IPMS control and monitoring package for the vessels’ propulsion, power generation, cargo handling, and all the vessel auxiliary systems. Also included is a comprehensive Battle Damage Control System (BDCS) and an On-Board Training System

“With military vessels increasing in complexity while simultaneously reducing crew sizes, systems integration is key to ensuring the functionality of critical components. Servowatch has introduced its most powerful and robust IPMS solution allowing more COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) product integration. It reduces platform cost, integration time and commissioning, whilst retaining the survivability and power of the original Servowatch product,” says: Andrew Burns, Sales and Marketing Director, Servowatch.

“We are really looking forward to continuing our work with RFA’s own teams of experts to enhance the capability, service and integrated logistics support that the company delivers to the Royal Navy’s specified requirements, “adds Wayne Ross, Chief Executive Officer.

The UK-headquartered company has invested heavily in the design and development of the next generation IPMS systems. Designed to commercial or military standards, principally for naval or larger complex commercial vessels, Servowatch offers a range of bespoke solutions to provide propulsion, electrical and auxiliary plant management from multifunction workstations with automation programmed into the system.

Tide-class tanker
The 39,000-tonne tanker, which can carry up to 19,000 cubic metres of fuel and 1,400 cubic metres of fresh water, will join the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, a civilian-manned fleet which provides support for warships, helping the Royal Navy to maintain its operations 24/7, 365 days a year, around the world.

Tidespring is the first of a fleet of four Tide-Class tankers which will all be taken through customisation in Falmouth. She will now undergo an intense programme of work at the A&P shipyard, and is expected to enter service before the end of the year.

The arrival is a significant milestone in the ‘Year of the Navy’ which will also see the debut in Portsmouth of the first of the Queen Elizabeth-Class aircraft carriers, the start of construction for the fleet of new Type 26 Frigates and the opening of the first permanent Royal Navy base east of Suez in more than half a century.