According to a PR published by Babcock on January 31, 2024, the company has been entrusted with a pivotal role in the South Korean Navy's ongoing submarine enhancement program.
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Weapons handling launch system. (Picture source: Babcock)
The company recently secured a seven-year contract from Hanwha Ocean to supply a sophisticated weapons handling launch system (WHLS) for the sixth boat of the Jangbogo-III class, known as ‘Jangbogo-III Batch-II Boat 3’.
This contract marks a continuation of Babcock's longstanding involvement in the Jangbogo-III program, dating back to 2011. The focus of the contract is on the manufacture and installation of the WHLS, which incorporates Babcock's cutting-edge air turbine pump and programmable firing valve launch system. These systems are renowned for their efficiency and reliability, crucial in modern naval warfare scenarios.
Key components of the WHLS will be designed and produced in the UK, with other parts being built under license in South Korea.
Babcock's expertise in this field is not limited to the South Korean Navy. For over half a century, the company has been designing, manufacturing, and providing support for submarine weapons handling and launch systems, with its products being utilized by naval forces in the UK, Spain, Canada, and South Korea. The patented air turbine pump system stands out for its compactness, efficiency, and low maintenance requirements.
Babcock's Weapons Handling and Launch System
The firm has supplied these systems for the UK's Astute Submarine, the Spanish S-80, and the South Korean Jangbogo-III classes. Additionally, their systems are also installed in the Collins Class in Australia and the Victoria Class in Canada, as well as in older Royal Navy classes like the Swiftsure, Trafalgar, and Vanguard.
A key aspect of modern WHLS is the integration of hydraulic control and actuation. This enables the handling of weapons within the weapon stowage unit, safely packing them during operations and loading them into the torpedo tubes for launch.
