Maintenance work on destroyer HMS York has been completed at Portsmouth Naval Base by Fleet Support Ltd (FSL).

The ten-month project on York – the final RN ship maintenance project under the allocated programme of work to Portsmouth, included the first new 4.5in Mk8 MOD1 gun to a Type 42 destroyer.

York was formally accepted back by Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral Sir Jonathon Band earlier this month after a successful Fleet Date Inspection.

The extensive work package on the ship grew extensively from the original programme when further maintenance and rectification work became necessary as the ship was surveyed.

All stakeholders were actively involved in finding innovative ways of resolving many of the new problems – and the approach was so successful that it will now become standard practice for FSL, and the system will be refined to work even more effectively on future projects.

FSL Managing Director Ian Booth said: “The success of the project firmly demonstrated the technical skills within FSL and showcased our abilities in providing an integrated design, engineering and setting-to-work package.

“These skills are a key element of the heavy engineering capability we offer the Fleet and we will be competing to maintain this through the 2005 work programme which we are currently bidding for.”

Among other work carried out in York during her docking period was the introduction of flat-screen technology in the Operations Room, the installation of an integrated PC network, the upgrading of the command and control information system, the blasting and painting of internal tanks and the external surfaces of the ship, and significant improvements in accommodations spaces.

Surveys had also revealed the need for repairs to the superstructure and a total stripping-down and refurbishment of the galley.

Having been accepted back into the Fleet, York is now at the forefront of the Type 42 flotilla – particularly in terms of the 4.5in gun, which has been fitted to a number of Type 23 frigates, but which required a considerable number of design and installation modifications over three decks before it could be added to the destroyer’s capability.

Having removed the old gun, along with associated controls and hydraulic pack, FSL gutted the control room and rebuilt it to accommodate new electrical cabinets, also installing new controls and fitting a replacement ammunition feed system, before the new gun itself – which weighs around 15 tonnes – could be placed in position.

The main role of the destroyer’s gun is in Naval Gunfire Support – bombardment of shore targets in support of a land campaign – and it has a secondary role in surface and tactical illumination.

The new gun housing’s distinctive angular shape – nicknamed Kryten after the oddly-shaped head of the android in comedy show Red Dwarf – is designed to reduce the radar cross-sectional area.

Advantages over the old gun include a reduction in weight, easier maintenance, lower running costs and increased reliability. The new system uses digital technology, with only the final stage of ammunition loading being hydraulic.

FSL is a joint venture between BAE Systems and VT Group, specialising in ship maintenance and repair, logistics and facilities management.

It is involved in a partnering agreement with the Naval Base Commander at Portsmouth.

Link to HMS York factcard