Rolls-Royce wins $40m Royal Navy contract for replenishment-at-sea systems

Rolls-Royce has been selected to supply a unique replenishment-at-sea (RAS) system to the Royal Navy. It will enable heavier-than-ever loads to be transferred between moving ships, more than doubling the amount of vital supplies which can be moved per transfer.

Rolls-Royce has already completed the detailed design phase of the project and this latest contract, worth £25 million (approx. US$40m), includes the construction of a land-based demonstrator to trial the new equipment.

Commodore Preston, Head of Afloat Support at the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation, said: “We are delighted that the contract for this vital training facility has been signed. This equipment will help train Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary crews in real time operational scenarios in a safe and controlled environment before undertaking it at sea.”

Richard Dingley, Rolls-Royce, Senior Vice President Naval – UK and International said: “Replenishment-at-sea is a vital part of modern naval operations and we are delighted to be pioneering an innovative system that will deliver world-leading capability for the Royal Navy. The operational requirements exceed those of any system currently in use with any navy in the world. The ability to move heavier loads, quickly and safely will be essential for the future of the Fleet.”

The demonstrator will be built at the Royal Navy’s primary training facility at HMS Raleigh, near Plymouth. It will be used to train operators of all Royal Navy surface ships in a realistic operating environment.

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