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Babcock secures US Coast Guard Cutter design support contract

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Naval Industry News - UK, USA
 
 
 
Babcock secures US Coast Guard Cutter design support contract
 
Babcock International Group, as part of Team Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG), has been awarded a contract to provide platform engineering design for the design and construction phases of the United States Coast Guard’s new Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) class vessels. This highlights the growing international competitiveness of Babcock’s engineering capability, and its ability to deliver design support to shipyards around the world.
     
SSBN Yuri Dolgoruky project 955 RussiaArtist impression: Future OPC of the US Coast Guard.
     
As the key provider of engineering support services on Team ESG for the last two years, Babcock has brought a wealth of experience to the development of the OPC design, the build strategy and the electrical systems. Babcock has worked closely with ESG and will deliver a whole ship 3D model, selected systems and production support as part of the new design work, underpinning the programme with detailed modelling, production outputs and the detailed design of auxiliary systems, structure, outfit and electrical systems.

Elements of the work will be subcontracted to VARD, building on a successful design relationship with Babcock to develop Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Irish Naval Service.

Production of the lead Cutter is due to start in late 2018, and will be due for completion in 2021. Up to eight follow-on ships are included in this initial contract. The United States Coast Guard plans to build up to 25 OPCs.
     
SSBN Yuri Dolgoruky project 955 RussiaBabcock’s detailed design work will help Team ESG to make the OPC as simple to produce as possible. The OPC incorporates as many systems and parts as a Light Frigate or Offshore Patrol Vessel, and is comparable in size at about 110m length, 4,000 tonnes displacement. It will have a range of 10,200 nautical miles, while carrying a helicopter, boats and unmanned systems. Each OPC will feature a flight deck, weapons and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment. Babcock image.
     

Babcock’s team of skilled and qualified designers and engineers will be using their experience and design skills built up on developing OPVs for the Irish Naval Service.

The design for manufacturing support developed for the Irish OPVs, at Babcock’s Appledore yard, has informed the approach being taken with Team ESG. Naval and coastguard ship design experience at Babcock ranges from new build to in-service support and from small craft to the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers for the UK Ministry of Defence. The new contract expands a growing list of international clients.

Jon Hall, Managing Director, Technology – Babcock said: “We are pleased to congratulate Eastern Shipbuilding Group on winning this prestigious contact and look forward to supporting them to deliver what the US Coast Guard describes as its “highest investment priority”.

“Our key role is to support the cost-effective design and build of the new ships. This will enable Eastern Shipbuilding Group to deliver all of the Coast Guard’s OPCs, helping to support America’s maritime security and economic interests for future generations.”

Babcock’s detailed design work will help Team ESG to make the OPC as simple to produce as possible. The OPC incorporates as many systems and parts as a Light Frigate or Offshore Patrol Vessel, and is comparable in size at about 110m length, 4,000 tonnes displacement. It will have a range of 10,200 nautical miles, while carrying a helicopter, boats and unmanned systems. Each OPC will feature a flight deck, weapons and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment.