Babcock delivers first Project TAMPA package for UK MoD
Image courtesy Babcock
Project TAMPA is the MoD’s accelerator programme focused on the use of additive manufacturing to increase material availability across defence assets, to overcome obsolescence of parts, reducing cost and improving performance and availability to enhance defence capabilities.
The MoD awarded the Project TAMPA contract in April 2023 to Babcock, along with NP Aerospace, RBSL, Thales and AMFG and the focus has been exploring how additive manufacturing can help transform material availability across defence operations.
A team from Babcock has been working across multiple domains to deliver solutions for complex parts across a variety of platforms. The project included complex components for the L118 Light Gun (above), 4.5 inch gun on the Type 23 frigate and the torpedo launch system for both the Astute and Dreadnought class submarines.
The Light Gun eye shaft has been recommended for adoption into the defence inventory by MoD's Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) team and is ready to be ordered through Babcock’s Material Availability Service.
Kate Robinson, Managing Director, Babcock’s Land Sector, said: "Delivering the first package of work for Project Tampa is a significant milestone for our customer, as we continue to move forward to increase material availability across the sector.
"Working collaboratively with industry partners and our customer has enabled us to explore the challenges and opportunities together to deliver the right solutions. We are now engaged in delivering the next work package in this programme."
Charlotte Robinson, UK Strategic Command Defence Support Innovation Team Leader said: "It’s been great to see the progress made by the Babcock team on Project TAMPA’s first spiral of work. Through collaboration with the other Project TAMPA suppliers and DE&S Delivery teams, Babcock has demonstrated that Additive Manufacturing can play a key role in improving Defence part availability."
