14 Dec 2006 | Ref. 381/2006
Portsmouth, United Kingdom. - BAE Systems has today begun laying the foundations for the new Maritime Composite Training System (MCTS) facility at the Maritime Warfare School, HMS Collingwood in Fareham, near Portsmouth.
The new building will house the Royal Navy’s new shore-based Warfare Operator Training capability that meets the operational training requirements for almost all current in-service frigates, destroyers, and major surface platforms, including the new Type 45 vessels.
BAE Systems was awarded the contract by the Maritime Training Systems Integrated Project Team (MTS IPT), through the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) for Phase 1 of the MCTS programme, valued at approximately £100M.
MTS Integrated Project Team’s team leader, Mike Holstead, said: "The start of MCTS building works represents a major milestone in this important project, which has been achieved through the combined efforts of staff from the SEABRIDGE team, all stakeholders and the MTS IPT. I look forward to the completion of this project and delivering the Royal Navy with a world class warfare operator training system."
The MCTS will provide the Royal Navy with a more flexible approach to training than is currently available and supports the aims of the Navy’s Versatile Maritime Training concept. Flexibility is achieved through the use of generic Classroom Based Skills Training for early training requirements ensuring that allocation to platform type can be deferred to the latest possible point in the training pipeline. High functional fidelity training is used where platform specific Individual Skills and Warfare Team Training are required. MCTS facilities will be situated at both the Maritime Warfare School HMS Collingwood and the Devonport Waterfront.
BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies (Insyte) leads the SEABRIDGE team with its partners Aerosystems International, EDS, Flagship Training, MDA and Serco.
Commodore Charles Montgomery CBE, Commanding Officer Maritime Warfare School said: “Today marks a major milestone in the continuing modernisation of Royal Navy training. The Maritime Composite Training System will be state of the art and hugely increase the effectiveness and efficiency with which the Maritime Warfare School achieves its mission: training officers and ratings for the fleet, ready to fight and win”.
Clive Richardson, managing director of BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies (Insyte) said: “We are one year into this important programme and we are pleased to say that the MCTS facility will deliver an innovative system that will help enhance the Royal Navy’s training capability for the future. Insyte is delighted to be involved in this and in so many other Royal Navy programmes which demonstrate a real spirit of partnership between industry and the UK customer in line with the Defence Industrial Strategy. We look forward to the completion of the new facility at the end of 2007.”
About BAE Systems:
BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 88,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded 12 billion pounds (US22 billion dollars) in 2005, excluding the Group's former interest in Airbus.
For further information, please contact:
Sue Kennard, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1276 603265 Mob: +44 (0) 7801 712739
sue.kennard@baesystems.com
Lisa Hillary-Tee, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384934 Mob: +44 (0) 7801 718994
lisa.hillary-tee@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384719 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
www.baesystems.com
