Britain orders WHLS for subs

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LONDON, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Britain's Ministry of Defense has tapped Babcock to supply additional weapon handling and launch system for Astute class submarines.

The WHLS by Babcock uses advanced air turbine pump and programmable firing valve technology, The ATP is an air-driven rotary pump that displaces a volume of water to launch a weapon from a torpedo tube; the PFV controls the ATP firing air profile and enables precision matching of launch requirements to variables such as weapon type, boat speed and depth of the vessel.

"The system is more compact than previous systems, more efficient and quieter with a lower noise signature, as well as having lower maintenance requirements and reduced through-life costs," Babcock said.

Babcock said its WHLS to Astute submarines carry more torpedoes and tube-launched missiles than systems used on other classes of submarines.

Two WHLS systems are carried by Astute-class submarines. Those to be produced under the contract will be for a sixth vessel and delivered in the spring of next year.