LONGBOW Aims for Mediterranean

The refitted and converted LONGBOW barge will depart from Portsmouth on 30 October to embark on a series of trials in the Mediterranean after completion of a conversion contract by BMT Marine Projects.

The vessel has been refitted and converted for trials to support qualification of the Principal Anti Air Missile System (PAAMS) for use on the next generation Type 45 Destroyer. PAAMS will provide fleet protection from sustained multiple air attack and is expected to play a pivotal role in the future of naval operations.

Bath-based BMT Marine Projects won the contract for the refit, conversion and operation of the barge from UKAMS in 2001.

LONGBOW had been laid up in Brixham harbour after being decommissioned as a UK Ministry of Defence Seawolf trials barge. She was kept in a dehumidified state allowing her to remain in a suitable condition to re-enter service in support of the PAAMS project.

The project included installation of a new 26m mast structure, refurbishment of major and minor ships systems, refurbishment of equipment and the installation of the new Sampson radar and its associated control, support and monitoring equipment.

BMT developed the refit, conversion design specification and completed the work via an international tendering exercise. Selected primarily for their in depth knowledge of new to service weapon system installations, Fleet Support Limited, Portsmouth was awarded the contract by BMT for completing the works to bring LONGBOW up to the required standard. All the critical alignment requirements of the PAAMS(S) equipment were met by Fleet Support Limited during the preparation and installation of the major components, demonstrating the capability to meet the demanding installation requirements of modern naval equipment.

The crew, provided by Anglo-Eastern Ship Management (UK) Ltd, has worked continually to ensure the barge's system has been thoroughly tried and tested before undertaking the controlled trials.

On the trials range LONGBOW will be moored to a Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) buoy deep water mooring, provided by BMT's sub-contractor SBM Monaco before being subjected to trials testing multiple supersonic and subsonic target tracking and a programme of missile firings to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system.

BMT Marine Projects will be continuing its ‘hands on' approach to support its customer through the next phase of the programme and play its part in ensuring the final PAAMS product delivered to the Royal Navy is to the highest standard.

Rod Smith, director and project manager for BMT Marine Projects said: "There have been some interesting and unique challenges in modifying and maintaining LONGBOW to meet the requirements and demands of a technology development programme. The key sub-contractors have played an important role in delivering the flexibility required spanning several years to meet our customer's needs. This flexibility and team coherence has been critical to the success of the project to date.

"BMT Marine Projects and its sub-contractors are now looking forward to providing a continuing professional level of support to UKAMS during the trials and evaluation phase of the programme over the coming months."