FAST Program Achieves Successful Critical Design Review

Atlas Elektronik UK, with its Atlas-QED consortium partners ITT Corporation (formerly EDO Corporation) and QinetiQ, has achieved a successful Critical Design Review of a mine counter measures (MCM) flexible agile sweeping technology (FAST) technology readiness demonstrator (TRD), in line with the main program schedule.  
The demonstrator, which is being supplied under contract, will ultimately enable the MoD to put a combined influence sweep (CIS) replacement into service using FAST Technology. 
This latest milestone follows an Interim Design Review in September 2007.  With the build phase well underway, the program remains on track to achieve the target of readiness for formal trials later this year.  
The FAST platform, which is currently under production, is a modified Logistic Support Boat (LSB-R).  Being fitted out at VT Shipbuilding, the vessel uses the same hull form as the Combat Support Boat (CSB) already in service with the UK Royal Navy.  The CSB is a powerful, versatile craft whose major role is to support both bridging and amphibious operations.  The FAST platform builds on the success of the CSB while incorporating significant performance improvements to meet the demanding requirements of this program.
During the Critical Design Review, UK MoD unveiled current plans for the launch and recovery mechanism envisaged from the Hunt Class MCMV (see right).  This concept is being developed with Babcock Design & Technology.