Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Babcock delivers Penzance with enhanced capability

Defence

Babcock delivers Penzance with enhanced capability

Sandown class mine hunter HMS Penzance has left Babcock's Rosyth dockyard with enhanced operational capability, sustainability and habitability standards, following a successful six month Support Period (Docking) (SP(D)) by Babcock.

The support period was completed under the Surface Ship Support Alliance (SSSA) Class Output Management (COM) Phase 2 arrangements, and the work package was defined by the Babcock-led Sandown class COM team to reflect the ship’s needs and minimise the level of emergent work, drawing on knowledge of the ship’s material state and previous experience of Sandown class refits.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

 

The upkeep has involved a number of upgrades and improvements that significantly enhance the vessel’s operational capability, sustainability, and habitability standards, in addition to a substantial maintenance package.

Upgrades have included installation of a replacement fire detection system; upgrades to the high pressure air system (extending system life, and offering cost and space benefits; Defence Information Infrastructure (DII) installation to provide a coherent infrastructure enabling information sharing and collaborative working across the defence sector network; installation of RATTAM (Response to Attack on Ammunition) arrangements; Chloropac installation (to combat marine growth in sea inlets); ballast re-siting to compensate for weight changes as a result of other work carried out; and a galley upgrade package, among other enhancements.

Additionally, the maintenance package has included represervation of the outer bottom and selected upper decks, and (based on lessons learned from previous Sandown class upkeeps) slow speed drive alignment checks and adjustment.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Babcock Warships managing director Mike Whalley said: “Penzance is the second Sandown class to undergo a support period under the full COM arrangements, and has benefitted from the knowledge and experience gained by the COM team from HMS Grimsby (the first under COM), and previous successful Sandown class support periods. We are delighted to have completed the upkeep work safely and at optimum value for money, and to be delivering HMS Penzance in the best possible material state. As well as having benefitted from previous knowledge and experience gained, this refit will in turn contribute to forthcoming Sandown class support periods.”

MoD T23/MCM team leader, Captain Matt Harrison, said: “I am delighted that HMS Penzance is back at sea in such good material state and with significantly enhanced capability, which is a direct result of all the hard work by all stakeholders.”

HMS Penzance will now proceed on sea trials before returning to the Fleet later this month.

 

Advertisement
PTC PTC
DE&S delivers innovative tech to HMS Richmond

Defence

DE&S delivers innovative tech to HMS Richmond

25 April 2025

Innovative technology that allows the Royal Navy to share combat data at speed during operations at sea has been installed on the T23 frigate, HMS Richmond, ahead of its operational deployment as part of the Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG25) heading for the Pacific Rim.

Dstl unveils advanced portable oxygen delivery system

Defence

Dstl unveils advanced portable oxygen delivery system

25 April 2025

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), in collaboration with Defence Medical Services (DMS), has unveiled an advanced portable oxygen delivery system designed to improve casualty survival rates for UK soldiers and civilians.

Chinook Maintenance School receives VMT system

Defence

Chinook Maintenance School receives VMT system

24 April 2025

Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter technicians now have access to latest generation interactive training technology to speed up their learning and development.

SME support from banks required to bolster defence strategy

Defence

SME support from banks required to bolster defence strategy

24 April 2025

Defence firms fear being debanked over ethical concerns amid the government's planned defence investment push and according to Heligan Group the UK’s defence strategy must include greater SME support from banks.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
ITSA sees positive start to 2025 for UK connector market

Aerospace Defence

ITSA sees positive start to 2025 for UK connector market

24 April 2025

The Interconnect Technology Suppliers Association (ITSA) has reported that in Q1 of 2025 the UK connector market showed strong performance, with sales up 11% up over Q4 2024 and up 7% on Q1 2024.

Cranfield partners with ADI

Defence Events

Cranfield partners with ADI

23 April 2025

The Academy of Defense Industries (ADI) and Cranfield University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Human Capability Initiative event to advance collaborative research and teaching and to build skills in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025