UK: The Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) HMS 'Vigilant' will sail from Devonport next month for sea trials before officially returning to the Royal Navy fleet following a lengthy refit and refuel programme undertaken by the UK's Babcock Group.
HMS 'Vigilant' is approaching the end of nearly three and a half years' work at Devonport Royal Dockyard, following successful completion of a formal pre-sea trials inspection. The refit has included a number of firsts, including the installation and commissioning of the Combined Oxygen Generation System, and a modification to the control rod drive mechanisms to further improve nuclear safety for the platform during maintenance periods.
Babcock has also undertaken structural survey work with a first-of-class use of leading-edge ultrasonic (phased array and time of flight diffraction) techniques to validate the hull for the submarine's next commission. Some 200 design alterations and additions and class modifications have been incorporated.
Significant changes have included an upgrade to the latest reactor core as used in Astute-class submarines (fuelling the submarine for life), installation of improved chilled water plants and system, and a large number of upgrades to the tactical and strategic weapons systems, including sonar 2054 inboard replacement and subsequent integration. Additionally, upgrades to the accommodation and mess areas have provided an opportunity to incorporate a state of the art entertainment system.
HMS Vigilant arrived in Devonport in autumn 2008. The project involved more than 2.3 million man-hours, over 2,000 people, and more than 80 subcontracting companies.