Babcock completes Type 26 AWHS FAT

Above: Babcock, BAE Systems and MoD representatives at FAT.
Courtesy Babcock International

The AWHS provides a flexible and configurable munitions stowage system, capable of safely storing and retrieving a variety of munition types within highly space constrained magazine environments.

Following several years of development by Babcock’s Defence Systems Technology team in Leicester, UK, the first in class unit, destined for Glasgow has now successfully completed Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT).

Andrew Hopkins, Babcock Programme Manager said: “The successful testing of this new Air Weapons Handling capability is the culmination of significant effort and collaboration between BAE Systems, Babcock and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over the last five years; offering the Royal Navy (RN) a step change in mechanised weapon handling capability including safety, speed of operation, space efficiency, weight, flexibility, shock resilience and low signature.”

Above: Babcock Lead Engineer Chris Connolly demonstrates extraction of a Sting Ray dummy torpedo during FAT.
Courtesy Babcock International

With testing culminating in an intensive three week factory acceptance period, Babcock’s engineering and production teams have successfully demonstrated the systems capability to representatives from BAE Systems, MoD, and RN – proving compatibility with both current and future weapons systems.

BAE Systems T26 Delivery Lead for Guided Weapons said: “This is a significant step forward for the AWHS, the FAT has clearly demonstrated the performance, function and flexibility of the design; it is a credit to the Babcock project team.

"Following the trials there is every confidence that the system can be successfully integrated into the T26 platform and proven as a highly efficient weapon handling system. Thanks also to the MoD customer who has supported the trials notably with the provision of all the weapon types and their trolleys/containers.”