1 November 2005
HMS CORNWALL STARTS WEAPONS SEA TRIALS
HMS Cornwall left Devonport Royal Dockyard last week to commence weapons sea trials, following an extensive £13 million re-fit programme undertaken by DML Group. The trials are expected to complete in early December, allowing the ship to return to the fleet before Christmas.
Emergent structural repair work has formed a substantial part of the refit. Constructive workload growth in excess of 150% was effectively managed with only a six week extension to the original programme, representing a major achievement.
Over 250 structural inserts have been undertaken throughout the ship, including removal and replacement of large areas of internal decks, superstructure and masts; a McGregor hatch primary beam replacement; surveillance office beam replacement; and replacement of the entire bridge wing structure. Many areas of the ship including sections of passageways and compartments had to be entirely cleared to allow these structural repairs to take place, and subsequently rebuilt, repainted and cleaned, with the upperdeck superstructure and masts also having to be fully blasted and represerved.
A further significant achievement has been the installation of new reverse osmosis plants for fresh water generation. This requirement was developed from an innovative proposal from DML and resulted in the removal of the existing evaporator plants, involving modification of the existing structure and systems. This has enhanced the ship's fresh water generation capability and minimised the loading on the auxiliary boilers, thereby significantly reducing running and support costs.
Weapon and mechanical system work within the refit programme has included replacement and overhaul of weapon systems such as 911 trackers, Seawolf launchers, Goalkeeper gun and AZT surveillance system, and the installation and commissioning of a new tank sensing system, plus replacement of the main engine shafts and rudders and of the Port Tyne engine. A large number of emergent defects arising from setting to work weapon and mechanical systems posed a significant challenge, which was successfully met with the support and flexibility of all the partners minimising any impact to the programme to fleet date.
Other work undertaken within the refit has included an extensive habitability package including the complete refurbishment of all junior rates, petty officers and chief petty officers messes and dining hall areas, plus complete refurbishment of the galley including equipment upgrade.
A further 15 alteration and addition (A&A) packages have also been incorporated into the programme, which has involved a total of over 4,000 pieces of equipment being removed, overhauled and re-installed during the course of the programme, plus the fitting of over 250 tonnes of plasticised lead ballast.
Commenting on the refit, DML project manager Chris Tomkins said that at the outset of the project all partners had jointly developed a partnering charter outlining principles and core team values underpinning the execution of the contract. "The amount of growth and impact of the constructive repairs on systems, compartments and material state of the ship, against a background of tight financial constraints and reduced support status, has meant that teamwork, partnering and close co-operation between all the partners has been crucial," he pointed out.
HMS Cornwall is a Type 22 frigate, some 17m longer than the original Broadsword Class at just over 148m in length. She was launched in 1985 and commissioned at Falmouth, Cornwall in 1988.