HMS Albion / HMS Bulwark LPD Refits
HMNB Devonport, Plymouth, UK · Albion: 2014-2017 (major refit); Bulwark: 2010-2011 (refit), 2020-2024 (support period/recertification) · Bulwark: £30 million (2010 refit); Albion: Not explicitly stated, but major refit.
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchAlbion's major refit included upgrading CIWS, radar, and command systems. - Bulwark's refit in 2010 was £30 million. - Both ships have experienced periods of extended readiness and delays in their refit cycles. - Decision to withdraw Bulwark from service and sell to Brazil, highlighting challenges in maintaining older vessels and budget constraints.
Key engineering challenges
Modernizing systems during refits (e.g., Phalanx CIWS, Type 997 radar, new command system). - Managing extended readiness periods and ensuring operational availability. - Addressing delays in refit schedules and recertification processes. - Political decisions regarding the future of the ships, leading to uncertainty and potential early withdrawal from service.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Royal Navy
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- Not applicable (refit/upgrade)
- Project type
- refit / upgrade
- Scale
- 2 ships in the class (Albion and Bulwark); Displacement: 19,560 tonnes; Length: 176 m; Crew: 325 (plus 405 Royal Marines)
- Disciplines
- Marine engineering; electrical engineering; systems integration; naval architecture (for modifications)
- Standards & frameworks
- —
Sources: Wikipedia: HMS Albion (L14) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Albion_(L14)) - Wikipedia: HMS Bulwark (L15) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Bulwark_(L15)) - Royal Navy: HMS Albion enters open water after two-year refit (https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2017/march/22/170322-hms-albion-enters-open-water)