Non-Subscriber Extract
UK RN lines up first Seawolf mid-life update
By Richard Scott
12 December 2007
The UK Royal Navy (RN) Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland will be the first of up to 17 RN warships to receive the Seawolf Mid-Life Update (SWMLU), a package of tracking, guidance and weapon management upgrades designed to confer the Seawolf point-defence missile system with a significantly enhanced capability to counter an evolving anti-ship cruise missile threat.
Sutherland, designated as Type 23 first of class for the SWMLU upgrade, will be modified as part of a 12-month, GBP35 million (USD71.3 million) refit being undertaken by Babcock Marine at Rosyth. The ship is due to return to the fleet at the end of 2008.
What is now BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies (Insyte) was awarded a GBP300 million development and production contract for the SWMLU programme in November 2000. As well as weapon system design, sensor design, subcontractor management, sensor integration, weapon system integration, performance modelling and system trials up to first-of-class ship level, the award also covers the production and installation of a total of 36 tracking systems extending through to 2014.