Qinetiq sets up naval design office

Qinetiq has signed a £2m contract with the MOD to establish a facility in Bristol to design complex naval ships for the Royal Navy, such as the Future Service Combatant (FSC).

The Naval Design Partnership (NDP) will focus on innovation and the pull-through of new technology, enabling the MOD to reinforce in house naval architecture and related specialisms through a collaborative design approach. Companies working on the project include Thales, BAE Systems, VT Group, Babcock and BMT.

The team will be initially tasked with a series of concept studies to develop the high-level product specification for the FSC C1 programme with the objective of clearing the initial phase in late 2008. The output may further extend to address future FSC platforms and be adapted to provide appropriate designs for any future vessel classes that may be required.

The NDP team will be collocated at Qinetiq’s Bristol office, close to MOD Abbey Wood, under the leadership of a MOD engineer. The dedicated facilities can accommodate up to 25 people.