This innovative approach involves adapting controls that are usually used in fly-by-wire aircraft and applying them in a marine environment. The complete Active Vehicle Control Management (AVCM) system will oversee all major aspects of the submarines’ manoeuvring capability to the highest levels of safety and reliability, similar to existing systems on modern air transport platforms.
Similar to how fly-by-wire works for aircraft - whereby electronic systems are used to control the movement of aircraft - BAE engineers are developing electronics that control the heading, pitch, depth and buoyancy of the Dreadnought class among other critical elements with added safety benefits.
Work has already begun, supporting more than 130 highly skilled jobs in Rochester, Kent, with the number expected to grow. The programme is one of the largest development projects taking place at the Rochester site and BAE Systems has made significant investments at the site to create new labs and workspaces to support the programme.
The project marks the first time that major Royal Navy work has taken place in the Medway Towns since the Chatham Dockyard closure more than 25 years ago. The Dockyard itself was synonymous with the building of ships and submarines for centuries, up to the Royal Navy Submarine, HMS Ocelot, being built there in 1962.
The innovation has been developed in Rochester with engineers in BAE's Electronic Systems business working closely with colleagues across the Company’s Maritime and Air sectors to develop a world-class system as part of BAE Systems' Active Vehicle Control One-Team.
