An Illustrious refit for Royal Navy flagship

This is the fifth refit to be undertaken by Babcock on the Invincible class aircraft carriers (CVS) and second to be carried out by the company’s experienced team on HMS Illustrious.

HMS Illustrious received a large number of capability upgrades during its last refit by Babcock in 2005, and will receive further upgrades during this upkeep period. These will include the Defence Information Infrastructure (DII) providing a coherent information infrastructure enabling sharing of information and collaborative working across platforms, and installation of reverse osmosis plants for improved shipboard fresh water production.

Close working between Babcock and the MoD and Royal Navy in advance of the refit has enabled knowledge and experience to be applied to establish a work package that will ensure HMS Illustrious returns to the fleet in optimum condition within the budget parameters, to deliver maximum value for money to the MoD and Royal Navy.

Various measures have been implemented to maximise efficiency and minimise cost and time in dock. For example, early surveys of the two funnels have enabled the originally required renewal of both to be reduced to a more cost effective series of repairs. Additionally, measures have been put in place to de-risk overhaul times in key areas to aid adherence to schedule, and use of two time windows in advance of the upkeep start date to undertake some initial survey, testing and preparation work on a number of aspects of the programme will also optimise efficiency when the project starts.

In addition to the capability upgrades, major repairs to both funnels, and a full Lloyds Register structural survey, the work to be undertaken on HMS Illustrious includes application of a foul release paint system on the keel, which provides improved fuel efficiency and speed through the water. High pressure air and salt water systems will be overhauled, as will all 200 underwater valves. Additionally the flight deck and hangar deck paint coatings will be renewed, and work undertaken to the diesel generators.

HMS Illustrious will be docking in No.2 Dock at Rosyth, alongside No.1 Dock where Babcock will be undertaking the assembly and integration of the massive new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.

HMS Illustrious will sail from Rosyth in spring 2011 for sea trials before returning to the Fleet. It will remain operational until its out of service date after the commissioning of the new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. During the upgrade, HMS Ark Royal will become flagship of the Royal Navy fleet.