Naval Fleet - Maritime Communications

The bespoke 19” rack enabled Captec
to provide a tailored solution to fit both the specific needs of the deployment process as part of a fleetwide retrofit, whilst providing the ruggedisation in the design needed for the challenge of maritime rack applications.

Peter Drake, Business Development Director

The customer is a global leader in the defence sector, the largest defence supplier in Europe, and among the top 10 defence companies worldwide. It manufactures tactical and strategic airlifters, multi-role aerial tankers and advanced combat aircraft. 

The solution provides a refresh to existing military satellite communications, across the networks of 20 royal naval ships as part of a retrofit program. 

The Challenges:

  • Outsource of bespoke 19” rack integrated with COTS,  and military communications equipment 
  • Limited installation available cabinet size and weight specification due to retrofit 
  • Incorporation of pre-defined military communications equipment to a 19” rack 
  • Certification for shock and vibration to DEF-Stan 00-35 
  • Integration of non-military commercial products such as network switches 
  • Integration of MOD approved CO2 injection system for equipment protection against fire

The Solution

  • Collaborative project services, enabled the customer to both outsource, whilst still being actively involved in the project development 
  • Modular aluminium construction to reduce lifting weight and enabling the rack to be assembled onsite, mitigating the need to cut holes in vessels during installs 
  • Design and modelling to ensure the lightweight modular design was robust enough for environmental certifications 
  • Bespoke equipment trays to house none rackmount equipment, providing integrated power conversion, cooling and ruggedisation 
  • COTS equipment ruggedisation procedure agreed with third-party vendors to maintain the warranty
  • Bespoke power distribution unit to address the range of fitted equipment electrical requirements, and the need for an emergency power off (EPO) switch 

The Outcome

  • The solution enables naval military satellite communications to be updated to a modern IP backbone
  • Deployment to over 20 vessels, fully commissioned and performing well
  • Snag-free installation as part of a retrofit
  • Customer outsourcing objective complete, whilst still maintaining close development input and review

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