Strong progress is being made by Babcock in the manufacture of one of the key elements of the new aircraft carriers. ?The huge ‘bulbous bow’ is similar in size and appearance to a conventional submarine, and measures a substantial 27 metres long and 9.5 metres maximum height, weighing some 315 tonnes.

The bulbous bow is a protruding ‘bulb’ at the bow of the ship just below the waterline.? By altering the bow wave generation and water flow around the hull it will reduce drag, increasing the carrier’s speed, fuel efficiency and stability.

In a visit to Babcock’s Appledore shipyard in Devon earlier this month the MoD’s Director Ships, Rear Admiral Bob Love, witnessed the progress being made on this substantial and critical module, forming part of the first lower block (LB01).? The bulbous bow, which is being manufactured by joining massive steel plates to produce the complex curvature required, will be completed and shipped with the other LB01 components in spring 2010 to Babcock’s Rosyth facility, where the carrier sections will be combined and assembled in No.1 Dock.

Following his visit to Appledore, Rear Admiral Bob Love said: “I was delighted to see lower block 1 coming together at Appledore.? This work is proof that the project is progressing well, milestones are being met and momentum is growing.? The next year will see the carrier programme make a significant step forward as this block, the first of the four large lower blocks to be constructed for HMS Queen Elizabeth, is delivered to Rosyth.”

Babcock’s Marine Division Warships Managing Director Mike Pettigrew commented: “It is only when you witness the structure first hand that you can get an idea of the sheer scale of this vessel.? I am sure that Rear Admiral Love will be full of confidence following his visit.? In terms of schedule and cost, the progress at Appledore has more than fulfilled everyone’s expectations.? It is also good to be able to remind people exactly how far on this project is.”

Source: Babcock

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