The UK defense ministry has awarded defense contractor Babcock International a configuration management contract for the Royal Navy (RN) and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) surface ship fleet.
Supported by Allan Webb Ltd, who will provide specialist data interrogation skills, Babcock will assume responsibility for the Surface Ship Definition Database (SSDD), a tool used for the management of platform related data.
Operation of the Master Record Data Centre (ships) (MRDC[Ships]), the core facility for ship information configuration services, will deliver major activities including equipment ship fit configuration, ship datum document configuration, and defect report management via the Surface Ship Equipment Data Record.
The work of the MRDC (Ships) will contribute to ensuring that the necessary systems and equipment – including the associated maintenance and spares information – are available when and where they are required to meet RN and RFA demand.
The SSDD interfaces with numerous MOD systems enabling Babcock to deliver a holistic, surface ship management solution. Over the course of the contract, tangible benefits will be evident on existing programs and new builds, including the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers with Babcock embedding and, where necessary, upgrading existing data management systems to aid through-life support programs.