UK Subs Surface for ESM Upgrade

Babcock has been awarded a contract to provide a software update to the UK MoD’s Trafalgar Class submarines’ Eddystone Communications Electronic Support Measures (CESM) system.


The mid-life update follows a current long-term MoD contract, in which the company provides post-design services and in-service support for the CESM and the supporting shore infrastructure.

‘This role includes a range of technical services including engineering support, integrated logistics support, obsolescence management, configuration management, helpdesk and stores management,’ a Babcock statement released on 23 April said.


‘Babcock is also the system design authority having led design, integration and installation as prime contractor for the previous competitively won procurement contract.’


The update will introduce enhanced system functionality and will address hardware obsolescence issues, ensuring improvement and sustainment of the important operational capability to the platform out-of-service date, Babcock said.

‘Babcock, and its US technology partner Argon ST, continue to work closely with the MoD and the Royal Navy to ensure the capability delivers at the front line.’


Meanwhile, in an effort to supplement the existing spares inventory and ‘address obsolescence’ for the Eddystone to ensure support over forthcoming years, Babcock was also recently contracted to supply new spares for the CESM.


‘The Eddystone system remains at the forefront of CESM capability and this mid-life update will enable the system to remain current and deliver the fleet requirement for many years to come,’ Babcock Integrated Systems & Support group director Charles John concluded in the statement.