Aish Technologies' enclosures support Royal Navy Shared Infrastructure
Poole-based defence systems manufacturer, Aish Technologies, is supporting the Shared Infrastructure project - one of the most significant projects to affect ship tech in recent times - by supplying tough metal enclosures that will house operational equipment on Royal Navy surface ships.
Above:
HMS Monmouth.
Courtesy Aish Technologies
Shared Infrastructure, establishes a common shared architecture across several Royal Navy surface ships, allowing software access, from navigation to sonar, through a single console.
BAE Systems have developed the Shared Infrastructure platform and approached Aish to supply the rugged metal enclosures that house the operational equipment, providing power management, filtering and distribution including signal interfaces and interconnects. Aish developed both air and water cooled versions with temperature monitoring, feedback and control under a range of operating load conditions.
HMS Ocean was the first MoD vessel to be constructed with Shared Infrastructure, followed by HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. Since then Aish have manufactured and tested 13 sets of enclosures, with delivery in progress, for the Royal Navy Type 23 Frigates. In addition, the company has been working on developing and modifying the necessary architecture for Type 26, Type 31 and Type 45 Frigates, with exact numbers to be reviewed through the Strategic Defence Review.
BAE Systems chose Aish Technologies due to their proven track record in delivering designs that consistently exceed MoD standards and a strong partnership built up over many years of working together.
The enclosures are manufactured to ISO: 9001 and MoD specific requirements, ensuring compliance throughout the design, manufacture, testing, qualification and delivery phases of the project.
Lloyd Bates, Managing Director of Aish Technologies, commented on the Shared Infrastructure project and its significance to the company: “We are delighted that BAE Systems have chosen Aish to be a partner in this innovative project. It reflects the excellent relationship we have with them and is testament to the quality engineering that Aish delivers time and time again.
"We are focused on ensuring we continue to meet project milestones and exceeding our customer’s expectations.
"The Shared Infrastructure solution is revolutionising the way ships operate and Aish is delighted to be playing its part in such a step-change for the Naval defence industry.”
The Shared Infrastructure project is expected to be rolled out across the entire Royal Navy fleet by 2024.