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Naval
Defense Industry News - UK |
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Biggest section of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH rolled out for assembly |
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Workers
at BAE Systems moved on sunday the biggest section of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH,
the first of two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy, out of the
company’s shipbuilding hall at Govan for the first time.
A team of 40 moved the 11,300 tonne aft section, known as Lower Block
04, across the specially reinforced tarmac at the yard in less than
three hours using 450 remote controlled transporters.
Angus Holt, Queen Elizabeth Class Block Delivery Director at
BAE Systems, said: “Today marks the culmination of months of hard
work and preparation and I am extremely proud of the team’s achievements
in successfully loading out the aft section on time and built to an
exceptional standard. The sheer size and complexity of the block both
highlights the skill of workforce here on the Clyde and the huge amount
of progress which we continue to make on the programme to deliver the
nation’s flagships.”
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Lower Block
04 is loaded out at Govan for the first time
(Picture: Bae Systems)
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Tomorrow (Monday 15 October), the block will be loaded
onto one of the two biggest sea-going barges in the world in preparation
for her journey to Rosyth where the aircraft carriers are being assembled.
Departing from Govan on Saturday 3 November, the 600 mile journey will
take Lower Block 04 around the north coast of Scotland.
The load out of Lower Block 04 comes only 34 months after the first
steel was cut on the section in January 2010. Since then, employees
at the company’s Govan yard have worked steadily to construct
the block which stands over 20 metres high and 80 metres long. It is
the largest hull section equating to around 20% of the overall weight
of the ship, and the final hull section of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH to arrive
in Rosyth. This will mark a significant phase in the programme with
all major hull sections of the ship delivered and ready for integration.
Approximately 250 employees from the Clyde will follow the block to
Rosyth where they will work in partnership with employees at Babcock
to complete the assembly phase of this section of the carrier.
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Artist
impression of aircraft carriers HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and HMS PRINCE
OF WALES
(Picture: Bae Systems)
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Meanwhile, production on both Lower Block 03 and
04 of HMS PRINCE OF WALES continues to progress at Govan, while the
aft island for the first ship is underway at the company’s Scotstoun
yard. BAE Systems is also manufacturing sections of hull at its Portsmouth
facility. Additionally, the company is responsible for the design integration
and testing of the ships’ complex mission and advanced communications
systems.
The aircraft carriers HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and HMS PRINCE OF WALES are
being delivered by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, a unique partnering
relationship between BAE Systems, Thales UK, Babcock and the UK Ministry
of Defence. BAE Systems has an overarching role in managing the QE Class
programme, as well as playing a central role in the design and build
of the ships.
The QE Class will be the centre piece of Britain’s military capability.
Each 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier will provide the armed forces with
a four acre military operating base which can be deployed worldwide.
The vessels will be versatile enough to be used for operations ranging
from supporting war efforts to providing humanitarian aid and disaster
relief.
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