BAE bags vessel traffic management contract
BAE Systems has been awarded a contract for installing a vessel traffic management system in Portsmouth Harbour and the Eastern Solent in the UK, the company announced on 25 June.
The £5.5 million contract is part of wider work between the company and the UK Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy for modernising the Portsmouth naval base and preparing it for the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier that will be based there.
The system, which will be installed by early 2016, will provide the situational awareness required by the vessel traffic service team and harbour master to control vessels around the base's operational area. It will integrate four radars, 17 high-definition CCTV cameras, six meteorological sensors, four hydrological sensors, a thermal camera and an automatic identification system.
Philip Dunne, Minister of State for Defence Procurement, said: 'A huge amount of investment is under way right across the naval base to get Portsmouth ready for the arrival of our HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier in early 2017, including refurbishing the base's jetties to ease access for the ships and installing new power supplies. This new system, to help control and monitor ship movements within Portsmouth Harbour and the Eastern Solent, is an essential part of these upgrades.'
John Hudson, managing director UK maritime sector, BAE Systems, said: 'We are pleased to continue our support to the Royal Navy by managing this important project for Portsmouth. With shipping activity expected to increase over the next few years a new vessel traffic management system is essential for the future safety and security of Portsmouth Harbour. The contract is an excellent example of how we are working in partnership with the Royal Navy to deliver service improvements and modernise Portsmouth naval base.'
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA]()
Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA
Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.
-
![L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts]()
L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts
L3Harris is targeting European naval modernisation with new uncrewed surface vessels, SATCOM partnerships, and regional investments including defence exercises and facility openings.
-
![Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS]()
Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners, from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions.
-
![BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft]()
BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft
The agreement is intended to boost opportunities for both UK and Norwegian naval shipbuilding.
-
![How the Force Design 2028 will impact US Coast Guard acquisitions]()
How the Force Design 2028 will impact US Coast Guard acquisitions
The FD 2028 strategy intends to reduce the bureaucracy in procurement processes while speeding up the field of assets.
-
![Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA]()
Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA
Miniaturisation of technology opens up radical sensing technologies to smaller navies under submarine threat, according to SEA sonar expert.
