The Evolution Of A Budding Shipbuilder To A Total Turnkey Solution Provider

Foundation, expansion and transformation

From a humble beginning in the 70s in building ships such as ferry boats and gunboats, our marine team has transformed into one naval shipyard that provides turnkey solutions from design to construction and life cycle support in repairs, refits and comprehensive maintenance packages. Today, our designs and builds are getting more complex with increasing number of platform and combat systems to meet the ever-changing needs of the navies and the maritime agencies. We achieve the development of in-house capability in platform and combat systems integration through partnering various stakeholders, including our customers, authorities, regulators and vendors to deliver fully integrated and fighting fit naval platforms. We pride ourselves a Global Systems Integrator for Naval Ships undertaking missions ranging from Maritime Security and Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Reliefs (HADR) to Special Operations.

During the 1980s, we have built and delivered Missile Corvettes (MCV) for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). In this programme, the engineers were exposed to the process, management and execution of platform and combat systems integration, and ICIT (Installation, Checkout, Integration and Testing) activities. Through on-job learning from external partner, we were able to acquire the knowledge of performing these integration activities.

In the 1990s, we have expanded our naval shipbuilding competencies by developing in-house ship designs, built and delivered Patrol Vessels (PV) and Landing Ship Tanks (LST) to the Singapore Navy. In the PV programme, we worked alongside with the Combat System Integrator (CSI) and applied the know-hows learnt in the previous MCV project to manage the system integration and ICIT activities.

Global system integrator in international naval shipbuilding programmes

Fast forward to 2008, we set up a System Integration department in the Engineering Design Center (EDC) with the focus of managing combat system integration in naval shipbuilding project. In the same year, we transformed to a total turnkey solutions provider and assumed the role of Global System Integrator when we were awarded the contract to design and built a 141m Landing Platform Dock (LPD), including procurement and integration of weapons and combat systems, for the Royal Thai Navy. We took a leading role and worked with the CSI and all combat system partners through a systematic integration process. We have also planned Live Firing Trial together with the Royal Thai Navy and successfully conducted the firing trial in Gulf of Thailand, a first for the company in performing naval firing trial overseas. Through this programme, the System Integration department achieved its first track record for naval export project.

Our reputation as a trusted Global System Integrator was further enhanced whenwe won the contract to design and build four 75m patrol vessels for the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) through a competitive international tender. With complex combat systems onboard, new system integration and ICIT challenges were expected. With a strong system integration team, and armed with the experiences accumulated through the past local and overseas programmes, we worked closely with RNO, CSI and all stakeholders to complete the platform and combat systems integration activities. We scored another track record when we completed the Live Firing Trials for all four vessels in the Gulf of Oman. The Al-Ofouq class of patrol vessels were successfully delivered in 2016.

Success in live firing trial

System integration is critical for any construction of naval vessel. In particular, seamless combat system integration of the sensors and weapons will ensure the designed combat capabilities is achieved. The integrated combat system live firing trial is the final key milestone leading to the delivery of any naval vessel.

The purpose of the live firing trial is to demonstrate the weapon firing capabilities and the integrated performances of the combat system suite. This is a very complicated and challenging process. The difficulties increased when conducted overseas in end-user territorial water. The trial validates the integrated performance of combat system suite which comprises mainly the Combat Management System (CMS), Surveillance Radar System (SRS), Fire Control System (FCS), 76mm Main Gun, 30mm Secondary Guns and decoy system through the agreed functional chains and acceptance criteria.

Three steps leading to the success of live firing trial:

1. Planning: By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail

a. Determine live firing procedures with key stakeholders  

b. Prepare trial resources e.g ammunition, sea/air target, aircraft, safety vessel, spares

c. Setting schedules and manpower planning

d. Working with authorities to obtain permits for firing range, air space, clearance for special tools and equipment  

e. Broadcast notifications to relevant parties

2. Executing: Execution is everything

a. Conduct system and alignment checks before live firing trial.

This is usually conducted one-week prior the actual trial, so as to cater sufficient time in troubleshooting, resolving or replacing faulty parts where required.

b. Safety is paramount

Mandatory safety and trial brief to all stakeholders such as end-user, suppliers, working personnel, so all parties are familiar with the safety protocols, trial procedures and their respective roles & responsibilities during the live firing trial.

c. Contingency plan

A contingency plan will be discussed and agreed with the stakeholders in the event of unforeseen challenges which may present safety issues or impact the performance outcome of the trial.

3. Delivering: Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships

The successful completion of the live firing trial not only involves the performance of the systems onboard, but the close and continuous cooperation between all personnel whom worked tirelessly to ensure the success and to overcome obstacles along the way.

Total turnkey solutions provider

Acquiring these competencies and building up its own track records, we have evolved to establish ourselves as a renowned total turnkey solutions provider for naval shipbuilding programs and capable to compete with leading shipbuilders around the world.

First published in onward.stengg.com