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BAE Systems to Modernize Combat Management Systems of British Warships

The UK has awarded BAE Systems a contract to update the combat management systems of Royal Navy warships.

The 285-million-pound ($354.7-million) deal calls for maintenance and enhancement services aboard the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, Type 23 Duke-class frigates, Type 26 City-class frigates, and Type 45 Daring-class destroyers.

Covered technologies include weapon and sensor integrator solutions, their associated infrastructure, and network capabilities installed for tactical strategy, situational awareness, threat assessment, armament assignment and control, and navigation and automated pilotage.

Work for the program will take place over eight years with two additional option years.

HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth pictured at sea. The water is a deep blue, and the cloudy sky serves as the background.
The contract covers critical logistics, obsolescence management, and availability and reliability checks at various installations. Photo: Petty Officer Jay Allen/UK Royal Navy

Extending Military Support

The effort, called the Real-time Combat System Open Data Enablers (RECODE) program, is a continuation of BAE’s more than 10 years of long-term in-service projects with the British military.

To date, the firm’s combat management systems have been installed aboard Royal Navy fleets for approximately 25 years.

“RECODE represents huge strides forward in our partnership with the Royal Navy and will help to realise warfare capability of the future,” BAE Systems Naval Ships Combat Systems Director Steve Carter commented.

“The global threat picture, advances in commercial technology and the immense volume of data available to crews means we need to become even more ambitious and far-reaching in our services and support. We are excited and privileged to secure this programme that will sit at the heart of the Navy’s ambition to be a protean force.”

The contract covers mtu generator sets of Series 183, 396 and 4000 fitted or to be fitted into a wide range of surface vessels and submarines, including Daring Class destroyers (Type 45; in the middle) and Duke Class frigates (Type 23; left and right). Copyright: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2022 JPG, 3 MBRolls-Royce will provide the Royal Navy with maintenance and repair support for mtu gensets, including mtu 12V 4000 gensets
Daring Class destroyers (Type 45; in the middle) and Duke Class frigates (Type 23; left and right). Photo: UK Ministry of Defence

Domestic Opportunities

The RECODE program will support over 200 roles across Dorchester, Filton, Frimley, New Malden, and Portsmouth.

Additional investments across the UK’s local small and medium enterprises and suppliers are also expected throughout the initiative.

“This is an essential program that will sustain current combat management systems on board in-service Royal Navy vessels, to enhance their capability and make them fit for the future,” Defence Equipment & Support Sense, Decide, and Communicate Interim Director Cdre. Phil Game stated.

“This new program will ensure that at their core, the systems are evergreen, robust and flexible. Through our close collaborative work with industry colleagues, this contract will also help to upskill the programme’s workforce and sustain UK jobs.”

A UK Royal Navy team operating a combat management system. Photo: UK Ministry of Defence
A UK Royal Navy team operating a combat management system. Photo: UK Ministry of Defence

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