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FAST Mine Countermeasure Boats
FAST Achieves Successful Critical Design Review
Atlas Elektronik UK, with its Atlas-QED consortium partners ITT Corporation (formerly EDO Corporation) and QinetiQ, achieved a successful Critical Design Review of a mine counter measures (MCM) flexible agile sweeping technology (FAST) technology readiness demonstrator (TRD), in line with the main program schedule. The demonstrator, which is being supplied under contract, will ultimately enable the MoD to put a combined influence sweep (CIS) replacement into service using FAST Technology. This latest milestone follows an Interim Design Review in September 2007. With the build phase well underway, the program remains on track to achieve the target of readiness for formal trials later this year. The FAST platform, which is currently under production, is a modified Logistic Support Boat (LSB-R). Being fitted out at VT Shipbuilding, the vessel uses the same hull form as the Combat Support Boat (CSB) already in service with the UK Royal Navy. The CSB is a powerful, versatile craft whose major role is to support both bridging and amphibious operations. The FAST platform builds on the success of the CSB while incorporating significant performance improvements to meet the demanding requirements of this program. During the Critical Design Review, UK MoD unveiled current plans for the launch and recovery mechanism envisaged from the Hunt Class MCMV. This concept is being developed with Babcock Design & Technology. Colin Sainsbury, Minewarfare Weapons Systems Manager of the MPH IPT, said "MoD is very pleased with the progress on the FAST project, was satisfied with the level of detail presented at the Critical Design Review and remains optimistic that the program aims will be achieved." The project will deliver a fully functional mine counter measures unmanned surface vehicle (USV) demonstrator system with quantified and validated performance through an agreed trials and evaluation program. The FAST system's main features are:
8 MN
Flexible · Configurable 2/3-Electrode magnetic sweep and Integrated Coil · Cable design includes replaceable electrodes · Easily configurable for alternative noise source(s) · Multiple towing configurations · Hamilton blue ARROW Control · Clip-on sweep system · Integrated Sweep Payload control Agile · Remote/Autonomous Control · Combined Planing/Displacement hull · Revolutionary Waterjet/Control system Sweeping · Enhanced ITT Power Generation Unit · Waveform Generation · New Sweep Cable design Technology · Fly-by-wire · Open Standards · Common Interfaces · Collision Avoidance
June 2008
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Vladimir Bibik