Rolls-Royce has delivered the first part of its £96m contract to supply a range of equipment to the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers.
The first pair of Neptune stabilising fins, designed, manufactured and tested at Rolls-Royce’s Dunfermline, Scotland facility were transported to the BVT Surface Fleet shipyard in Govan, where they will be incorporated into the hull section, currently under construction.
Richard Dingley , Rolls-Royce director programmes - Europe and International, said: ‘This delivery is a key milestone in the QE Class programme and marks not only the first delivery of Rolls-Royce equipment, but also the first part of the power and propulsion element.’
According to Rolls-Royce, the stabilising fins (pictured below) are retractable and can be extended from their housing in the ship’s hull to stabilise the vessel when sailing through rough seas.
Once deployed, stabilisers pivot to counteract the roll of the sea and lift the vessel in a concept similar to that of an aircraft’s wing. Stabilisers perform a vital role in steadying a ship during operations, including the take off and landing of aircraft, use of weaponry or refuelling.
Rolls-Royce is also supplying MT30 gas turbines as part of an integrated system that includes the carriers’ propellers and propeller shafts, as well as rudders, bearings and low-voltage electrical systems.
The company is part of a sub-alliance team that has overall responsibility for delivery of the entire power and propulsion system. The contract has been awarded by the carrier main alliance partner, Thales UK.
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