Babcock and SEA team up for Submarine Communications Buoy Project

Babcock and SEA (Systems Engineering and Assessment) have set up a teaming agreementto bid for the planned Technology Demonstrator Programme (TDP) for the future VanguardReplacement Programme (VRP) Submarine Communications Buoy (SCB) system.

The UK MoD is planning a programme to develop a towed SCB system for the future SSBN(similar to that used on the Vanguard class) to meet the future communication requirements ofthis new platform. A TDP is planned as a precursor to the system, and an invitation to tenderfor the programme was released last month (December).

Babcock has been involved with the MoD's SCB development programme since the firstcontract went out to industry for tender in 2008, and has previously been contracted by the MoDto undertake concept design and assessment, analysis, model testing and platform integrationstudies. The company has already expressed interest in the next stage: the forthcoming TDP.

Babcock and SEA have combined forces to bid for the technically challenging SCB TDP,forming a team with the high technical capability needed to undertake the design, development,manufacture and through-life aspects of the project, which is expected to have extremelydemanding, stringent reliability and signature requirements. The towed SCBs must be capableof receiving Very Low Frequency (VLF) radio signals at any time and in all weather conditionsand will have to operate in a complex dynamic environment, therefore requiring expertise in awide range of disciplines. To achieve continuous communications the buoy must remain at acontrolled depth below the sea surface, while remaining covert. The SCB design must be ableto respond and control its flight over a range of flow conditions, including large amplitudeirregular waves coming from any direction.

Babcock and SEA represent an impressive combination of TDP experience, technical know-how and complimentary skills required to deliver the SCB TDP successfully. Babcock bringssignificant experience in the design, development, manufacture, support, installation, repair andmaintenance of submarine mechanical and electromechanical systems. The company hasundertaken studies of the existing towed VLF buoy system, analysis of alternatives conductedin the UK, hydrodynamic modelling data and trade studies, as well as having experience andexpertise in handling systems, underwater winch technology and submarine trials includingTDPs.

SEA is a systems engineering company specialising in bringing complex systems technologiesto maturity, and is experienced in delivering TDPs, with significant domain expertise indeveloping simulation environments, particularly high level architecture, and in conductingsubmarine system integration, test and trials. The two companies have previously workedtogether successfully on the Sonar 2112 programme in 2004.

Under the teaming agreement, Babcock takes responsibility for project management, safety,design and manufacturing, with SEA taking on TDP management, systems integration,systems engineering and simulation and validation.

Babcock Future Business Development Manager James Date comments: "We are delighted tobe teaming with SEA to bid for the SCB TDP. The Babcock-SEA team will combine Babcock'sstrengths in engineering design and manufacture with SEA's flair for innovation and technologyinsertion, offering the high level of experience and technical expertise required to meet thechallenges and deliver the SCB TDP successfully. Babcock's work to date has alreadycontributed significantly to understanding the issues and building a body of knowledge on whichto base a future design. We look forward to working with SEA to bid for the TDP and continueour involvement in the SCB programme."