QinetiQ has introduced an onsite additive manufacturing capability at HM Naval Base Clyde to help accelerate maintenance and repair work for the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.
The capability is being delivered under two contracts with the Submarine Delivery Group’s Additive Manufacturing team. It combines the Additive Manufacturing All In One (AIO) solution, which provides point-of-need manufacturing, with a market access cell (MAC) that connects the facility to a wider UK manufacturing network, according to QinetiQ.
The facility will enable submarine components to be produced on demand at the Faslane naval base by QinetiQ personnel working alongside Royal Navy submariners, allowing parts to be delivered directly to submarines during maintenance periods.
For components that cannot be produced onsite, QinetiQ will reverse engineer the parts and manufacture them through an accredited network of UK-based additive manufacturing and advanced engineering small and medium-sized enterprises. The network includes suppliers with experience in sectors such as Formula 1.
QinetiQ will operate the containerized manufacturing facility at HM Naval Base Clyde with support from Royal Navy submariners.
“Our proven expertise in additive manufacturing combined with the latest technology being installed at HM Naval Base Clyde will see us print, scan and reverse engineer submarine parts on demand, at pace and at dockside, helping to get submarines back on operations more quickly,” Will Blamey , Chief Executive, UK Defence, QinetiQ, said.
“Working in the Additive Manufacturing All-in-One facility alongside Royal Navy personnel will provide us with an incredible opportunity to show how additive manufacturing can transform routine submarine maintenance. It’s been very rewarding to see the facility come together in Farnborough and even more exciting to see it now deployed at HMNB Clyde,” Paul Duff, Associate Materials Scientist, QinetiQ , stated.
“By enabling engineers to produce components on-site, we are reducing dependence on complex supply chains and accelerating repair timelines, ultimately improving the submarine’s material state and availability,” Commander Max , SDG Additive Manufacturing Lead, commented.
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