Military Technology 05/2021

84 · MT 5/2021 Industrial Focus Babcock will share its experience in preparing and investing in fa- cilities, skills, systems and processes, most recently seen through the digital transformation and automation upgrade of its own Rosyth facility, readying the site for construction of AH140 for the Royal Navy’s Type 31, INSPIRATION-class vessels. Depending on the transformation required and budget available, val- ue-adding ARROWYARD packages span the whole product development lifecycle, including; a scalable design and build solution; technically pro- ficient naval build infrastructure; an industry 4.0-ready workforce; world- class frigates; and an enduring in-service support capability. Will Erith, Babcock’s Marine sector CEO, commented on the poten- tial for ARROWYARD in the global shipbuilding market. “Interest in the ARROWHEAD 140 frigate is growing and, as one of the companies down selected for the design and feasibility study for the Polish MIECZNIK frig- ate programme, the incentive of working with global customers to support the in-country build of naval platforms, with all the benefits that brings to customer countries, has never been more timely […] ARROWYARD will help customers evaluate their existing shipbuilding capability and develop a plan to re-generate their infrastructure and processes, identifying gaps and providing a programme to bridge these with targeted investment and expert support.” The AH140 design benefits from a proven hull-form that has been tried and tested in real-world operational environments, from NATO and coali- tion task forces to national regional and deployed operations. Functional engineering risks are reduced, informed by integration challenges that have already been experienced and resolved. The frigate’s modular build characteristics mean it is primed for pre-outfitting, with open compart- ments allowing for rapid assembly, supporting time and cost reduction efficiencies for entry into service. Lockheed Martin Offers LMXT for KC-Y Programme LockheedMartin unveiled the LMXT as America’s next strategic tanker – “built in America by Americans for Americans” – in response to the US Air Force’s KC-Y programme, on 17 September. LMXT is the latest episode in the company’s 60+ year history of devel- oping, manufacturing and delivering tanker and cargo aircraft for the US services and multiple international operators. It will complement USAF tanker capabilities, by providing the most advanced aerial refueler to meet America’s immediate and long-term mission requirements. LMXT strength- ens and expands the US aerospace industrial base by working with existing and new American suppliers, and will also cultivate and sustain high-tech, high-skill American manufactur- ing jobs. “Lockheed Martin has a long and successful track record of producing aircraft for the US Air Force, and we understand the critical role tank- ers play in ensuring America’s total mission success,” commented Greg Ulmer, EVP at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “The LMXT combines proven performance and operator-specific capabilities to meet the Air Force’s re- fueling requirements in support of America’s National Defense Strategy.” The LMXT offers a proven airframe, with distinct USAF-only capabilities, designed to meet operator requirements, with advantages that include: • Significantly improved range and fuel offload capacity; • A proven fly-by-wire boom, currently certified and used by allies to refu- el USAF receiver aircraft in operations around the world; • The world’s first fully automatic boom/air-to-air refuelling (A3R) system; • Operational, combat-proven advanced camera and vision system; • Open system architecture JADC2 systems; • A multi-domain operations node, connecting LMXT to the larger bat- tlespace, increasing onboard situational awareness to provide resilient communications and datalink for assets across the force. The strategic tanker builds on the combat-proven design of the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). As prime contractor, Lockheed Martin works directly to implement USAF-specific requirements within the LMXT. As the strategic tanker of choice for 13 nations, the MRTT has logged over 250,000 flight hours refuelling US and allied military aircraft in combat theatre environments. Babcock Launches ARROWYARD In-Country Build, Assembly, Outfitting and ISS Package for AH140 Babcock launched a new approach to global shipbuilding during DSEI last week, aimed at enabling international clients to build and support the company’s ARROWHEAD 140 (AH140) frigate in-country, delivering a range of potential economic and social benefits to local communities. ARROWYARD is developed from Babcock’s rich engineering know- how and shipbuilding experience, bringing together a comprehensive range of technology and knowledge transfer options to create the con- ditions for domestic construction of the AH140 by optimising customers’ in-country shipbuilding and industrial capabilities. It enables construction of the AH140 hull, superstructure and components, final assembly and outfitting and also supports the development of sovereign in-service fleet support (ISS) capability. A rendering of the LMXT next-generation tanker. (Image: Airbus via Lockheed Martin) A rendering of the AH140 ARROWHEAD frigate design. (Image: Babcock International)