The Astute Prime Contract is being used as a benchmark for the MoD's Smart Procurement Initiative which promotes 'faster, cheaper and better' acquisition of major new defence platforms.
Concurrent Engineering
The acquisition process for a state of the art submarine takes many years during which time improved variants of equipments become available and new developments are announced. A modern submarine would never be completed if the design was constantly being changed or production delayed to accommodate new, unplanned developments.
To advance production in this environment without incurring rework and whilst ensuring that the end product remains as 'state of the art' as practicable, the company has adopted the concept of concurrent engineering whereby the design can still be progressing as hull steelwork is being cut and fabrication begun. The key to this approach is to identify, notify and manage design dependencies so that the impact of change is reduced until the point where further planned changes are negligible, whereupon the relevant production work can be authorised. The product model and production plans are used to generate an electronic product library and the structured delivery of build information such as work orders and associated tasking support documentation and quality data.
Evolving Specification
The Astute Class will be almost 40% larger than the Trafalgar Class and will incorporate a more powerful pressurised water reactor similar to the Vanguard Class SSBN submarines but featuring the new Core H which will power the submarine throughout its service life without requiring costly and time-consuming refuelling.
All signatures will be improved offering increased stealth in operation and attention is also being paid to improved survivability. The new class will feature the latest fully integrated submarine combat system. Sonar 2076 suites will match those planned for the final upgrade of Trafalgar Class boats and the Astute Class will have non hull-penetrating optronics masts. Six torpedo tubes will be installed to handle a weapon mix including Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes and Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles. A digital control and information system will be employed which minimises costly cabling. Finally, external actuation will be adopted for all control surfaces to reduce hull penetrations and simplify aft end construction. The Prime Contract includes the incentive of eight boat years of Contractor Logistic Support and every opportunity is being taken during design development to drive down projected through life costs. Improvements in management of the supply chain are also being actively pursued.
