Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • STEM students get hands on with Naval engineering

Defence Events

STEM students get hands on with Naval engineering

A group of students from University Technical College (UTC) Portsmouth were given a week to remember recently as they gained hands-on experience of engineering with the Royal Navy at both HMS Sultan and HMS Collingwood.

Above: The students also learned about Weapons Engineering at HMS Collingwood.
Courtesy Royal Navy

University Technical Colleges (UTCs) are schools for 14-19 year-olds that deliver technical education as well as core curriculum subjects and UTC Portsmouth enjoys a close relationship with the Royal Navy locally.

Advertisement
ODU RT

So 16 students, aged between 14-16 years old, spent three days within workshops at the Defence College of Technical Training’s Royal Naval Air Engineering and Survival Equipment School learning how to rivet and were also treated to a tour of the technical training site at HMS Sultan.

Above: Ben Medze-Kitching (left) assists Nathan Daw with his project at HMS Sultan.
Courtesy Royal Navy

The students then visited nearby HMS Collingwood, the home of Royal Navy Weapon Engineering, where they were introduced to the Phalanx Gun system which is fitted to the Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers and which fires ninety 20mm rounds every 1.2 seconds.

Under the expert supervision and training of Petty Officer (PO) Alan 'Bash' Bates, they also experienced the power of the Automated Small Calibre Gun (ASCG) which is fitted to Type 23 frigates and used primarily to defend against fast inshore attack craft.

Complex engineering and gyro-stabilisation ensure accuracy despite the movement of the ship and the students were eager to experience what firing this gun would feel like as they sat at the controls.

This inspired many questions ranging from how to become a Royal Navy Weapons Engineer to whether female students could work and operate the guns, to which Bash gave many examples of successful women working in this area.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle

Student Jamie Himlin-Ladd was the first to volunteer to experience the ASCG and said afterwards, “It was very exciting and it made me feel very powerful!”

A visit to the Base’s impressive 4.5 inch Mark 8 gun rounded off the student’s practical demonstrations, where they learned about the mechanics of the gun and how the 37 kilogramme rounds are delivered to and fired from it.

Above: UTC student Georgina Price displays her engineering skills.
Courtesy Royal Navy

Kirsty Parsons reflected on her visit to the two Bases and said: “It’s been really interesting to see the different styles of engineering and technology. Ultimately I’d like to be a mechanical engineer in the Royal Navy.”

 

Advertisement
Cranfield University
SatVu strengthens NATO’s space-based intelligence

Defence Space

SatVu strengthens NATO’s space-based intelligence

20 October 2025

Provider of high-resolution thermal imaging from space, SatVu, has announced its participation in NATO’s Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) initiative.

Marshall secures Turkish Ministry of National Defence C-130J contract

Defence

Marshall secures Turkish Ministry of National Defence C-130J contract

20 October 2025

The Turkish Ministry of National Defence has awarded Marshall Aerospace a major contract to support its fleet of newly-acquired Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

Babcock invests in emerging talent in Poland

Defence

Babcock invests in emerging talent in Poland

20 October 2025

Babcock is to grow its intake of university students from Poland as part of its Babcock Polska Graduate programme.

Navantia UK welcomes 73 new apprentices

Defence

Navantia UK welcomes 73 new apprentices

17 October 2025

On the fifth anniversary of its apprenticeship programme, Navantia UK has welcomed 73 new apprentices across its four UK sites, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for the next generation of British shipbuilders and engineers.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Tyron Runflat expands its capabilities

Defence Security

Tyron Runflat expands its capabilities

16 October 2025

Manufacturer of the world’s only multipiece rubber Runflat system, Tyron Runflat, has again extended its capabilities, resulting in its latest partnership with a European Special Forces organisation.

MinDRI opens defence storage facility in Cumbria

Defence

MinDRI opens defence storage facility in Cumbria

16 October 2025

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (MinDRI) Luke Pollard MP has officially opened the new Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Longtown Defence Storage Facility (LDSF) in Cumbria, marking a significant milestone in modernising and streamlining the UK’s defence logistics infrastructure.

Advertisement
ODU RT