Bristol Business News

The Filton, Bristol, plant of missile firm MBDA is to benefit from a £483million contract won by the European firm to develop a next generation naval air defence system for the Royal Navy.

The work, which will last about five years, will protect around 500 jobs split between Filton and sister plants in Stevenage and Bolton.

The Sea Ceptor missile system will replace the vertical launch Seawolf currently in service on the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates and will become the principal air defence system on the successor Type 26 Global Combat Ship.

It will enable frigates to fire missiles at multiple targets simultaneously, at up to three times the speed of sound (Mach 3), protecting an area of about 500 square miles over land or sea.

Minister for defence equipment, support and technology Peter Luff visited MBDA’s Filton plant to discuss the contract with staff.

He said: “The development of this missile system is a huge boost to the UK’s world-leading missile industry and once again proves our commitment to providing battle-winning technology to our Armed Forces. The introduction of this cutting-edge missile system will not only ensure that the Royal Navy will be able to continue protecting our interests wherever they may be, but is also highly significant in sustaining and developing the UK’s skill in building complex weapons.”

MBDA executive group director technical and UK managing director Steve Wadey added: “This contract is important for a number of reasons. In the first instance it ensures that with Sea Ceptor the Royal Navy will have the best equipment to protect its ships and crews against the growing threat.

“The contract is also a powerful example of how industry and the MoD can deliver together an advanced capability that meets military needs in the most cost-effective manner. It is also a highly-significant step in advancing and sustaining the UK’s mastery of complex weapons technology. Importantly, Sea Ceptor, ideally suited to the Type 26 Global Combat Ship as well as a wide range of other vessels, is highly relevant to a number of navies around the world who are looking for a next generation naval air defence system capable of countering the growing future anti-ship threat.”

MBDA is jointly owned by UK defence giant BAE Systems (37.5%), Franco-German defence and aerospace group EADS (37.5%) and Finmeccanica of Italy (25%).

A US Navy Littoral Combat Ship

Aero-engine maker Rolls-Royce has landed its largest-ever order in the naval ship market – a contract that positions its Patchway plant in Bristol at the forefront of this fast-growing market.

The new contract is to supply its MT30 gas turbines and waterjets for 10 of the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) which patrol the country’s territorial waters close to the shore.

No value was put on the order to supply the vessels, made by US defence firm Lockheed Martin, but it is believed to be worth several hundred million pounds.

The MT30 is derived from Rolls-Royce aero-engine technology and its Patchway plant – the firm’s main UK base for military engines – has played a key role in its development, including assembly and testing.

The engine, which has also been chosen by the UK MoD to power the Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, enable the US ships to reach speeds higher than 40 knots -making them highly manoeuvrable, able to operate in shallow waters and to stop and accelerate quickly.

Andrew Marsh, Rolls-Royce president – naval, said: “We have worked closely with Lockheed Martin and other partners throughout the design, build and sea trials of the first vessel, USS Freedom, and are making good progress on the second ship, Fort Worth, which is more than 80 per cent complete and remains on cost and on schedule.

“The Rolls-Royce equipment combines to give an effective and efficient propulsion system perfectly suited for these innovative, highly-manoeuvrable, state-of-the-art ships.”

The MT30 has the highest power density of any marine gas turbine – a key factor in naval propulsion where delivering a high power output in a compact space is essential.

The waterjets are among the largest produced by Rolls-Royce and can pump water at a combined rate of 25,000 gallons per second — enough to fill an Olympic style swimming pool in 25 seconds.

In addition to gas turbines and waterjets, a significant range of Rolls-Royce equipment is specified in the Lockheed Martin design, including shaftlines, bearings and propulsion system software.

Jobs are set to go at BAE Systems plant at Filton after the defence firm announced more than 600 staff would go across the UK in a new round of cost cuts.

The jobs will go at eight sites across the UK in its Integrated System Technologies Business, which produces surveillance and command systems.

The sites affected are Filton, Portsmouth, Chelmsford, Christchurch, Isle of Wight, Frimley (Surrey), Hillend (Fife) and south-west London.

“We have a responsibility to address a reduction in our forecast workload and manage our cost base to remain competitive and meet our customers’ future requirements,” said BAE Systems’ Rory Fisher.

“We will work with our employees and their representatives to explore ways of mitigating these potential job losses and we will ensure employees are fully supported throughout this process.”

Earlier this year, BAE said 500 jobs would go in its combat vehicles and weapons unit. It later increased that figure to almost 700.

The systems business affected in the latest announcement employs 3,700 workers at 11 sites across the UK.