13 Sep 2005
BAE Systems Submarines drive to accelerate the Astute programme, ensuring delivery of HMS Astute in August 2008, will see the installation of the bridge fin six months earlier than programmed.
The installation, to take place next month, will enable diesel engine trials to bring the submarine to life, allowing a significant amount of other work to be undertaken ahead of schedule.
Bringing forward the bridge fin installation came from an initiative suggested by workers at the BAE Systems site in Barrow, North West England the home of Astute. It demonstrates the key role played by the shop floor in the development of the Royal Navys most advanced nuclear submarine. The team reasoned that early erection of the fin would allow installation of the ships fit arrangements to run the engines, removing the need for temporary set ups.
Andy Ogden, integrated work team leader at BAE Systems in Barrow explains: By erecting the bridge fin six months earlier than planned we can install the equipment necessary to run the engines without using temporary set ups, which must be re-checked at a later stage of the production process.
We discussed our idea with all related departments and established that by changing existing work schedules we could make significant progress much earlier in the programme than originally planned.
Early installation of the bridge fin also required a programme of painting, tiling and outfitting scheduled to take eight months being condensed into eight weeks through a wholescale reorganisation of work plans.
Since 2003 the Astute submarine programme has demonstrated a significant improvement in performance. All seven milestones for 2004 were achieved ahead of schedule and half of the milestones identified for 2005 have already been achieved early.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The Company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years and is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems. BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The Company employs over 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 14.8 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.
For further information, please contact:
Chris Nelson, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1229 875975 Fax: +44 (0) 1229 873333
chris.nelson@baesystems.com
