Since 1969, with our heritage of UK firms, Amentum has supported Operation Relentless, more commonly known as the continuous-at-sea deterrent (CASD).
The longest ongoing operation ever delivered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the CASD mission ensures that there is always a Royal Navy submarine on patrol armed with nuclear ballistic missiles.
Operating a nuclear reactor inside a submarine involves some unique technical challenges. To do this safely while meeting operational needs, the Royal Navy needs to call on advisers who can bring real depth of understanding across reactor operations, nuclear physics, research and technology, design, manufacture, decommissioning and disposal.
Amentum supports the MOD Nuclear Reactor Plant Authorisee and Nuclear Propulsion Project Team with independent assessment, safety and technical advice for the Trafalgar, Astute and Vanguard Class submarines and the next generation of reactors that will power the Dreadnought Class and Astute Class replacement (SSN[R]). This support is key to ensuring that the reactors are engineered to be fit for purpose and compliant with safety and technical requirements.
The work is delivered by 100 specialists in Amentum’s Independent Nuclear Assurance (INA) team, which is the largest provider of such independent safety assurance in the UK nuclear sector. As required, the team is supported by another 70 nuclear and technical specialists with specific, relevant skills and knowledge.
Our INA service supports nuclear authorisees and licensees with Independent Technical Assessment (ITA) of design information and Independent Nuclear Safety Assessment (INSA) of nuclear safety cases.
Our work includes in-service support, advice on operating documentation, review of safety management arrangements and the provision of independent members for nuclear safety committees.
Our specially developed program management techniques ensure the effective delivery of complex assessment programs and our service is delivered by a ‘ring fenced’ organization, providing impartial, expert, second opinion, providing scope and depth proportionate to risk. Demonstrably independent of constructors, designers, maintainers, and safety case authors, the service provides the independent scrutiny expected by regulators.
And although we have been the sole supplier of independent assurance services to the submarine program for more than 55 years, our role constantly evolves as we seek to make tangible delivery improvements.
Over the past 20 years, we have improved the effectiveness and sustainability of our service by making significant investments in our operational environment, associated infrastructure and laboratory facilities. This includes the creation of a new data library to help maintain and develop the NPIA “corporate memory”.
The other pillar of our support to the submarine service is our long-standing role as a collaborative research and development partner to the naval nuclear propulsion program. We provide specialist support including laboratory materials testing, design engineering, structural integrity, stress modelling, manufacturing design engineering support, site safety cases and site infrastructure design at facilities such as HMNB Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe, and HMNB Clyde, home to the core of the Submarine Service.
Under a $132 million (£108 million) contract, which runs until 2032, Amentum provides essential through-life technical support for the Royal Navy’s submarines Rolls-Royce PWR2 reactors, and reactor development for future boats.
The U.K. is currently building four new Dreadnought Class ballistic missile submarines and is developing a new type of submarine as part of the AUKUS security agreement with the U.S. and Australia.
Amentum Senior Vice President Andy White said: “Our business has supported the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines since design work on the first boat began in 1958. At a time when the U.K. is committed to a long-term investment in a new generation of vessels to safeguard national security, this work is as important as it has ever been.
“When entrusting us with this responsibility, the MOD expressed confidence not only that we could do the work but also that we would safeguard the highly specialized technical capabilities and suitably qualified and experienced people needed to sustain it. In particular, the MOD values our technical expertise, comprehensive laboratory and analytical resources, strong relationships with academia and best-in-class project and programme management.”
This capability is underpinned by our nuclear laboratories at Birchwood Park in Warrington. The largest complex of its kind in the U.K., the laboratories provide many rare capabilities which are directly relevant to the submarine mission, including UKAS-accredited mechanical testing to verify materials and high integrity components to the highest levels of quality assurance. We evaluate materials behaviour at temperatures from -160°C up to 750°C using techniques such as: fracture toughness, fatigue endurance, and fatigue crack growth. We design, build and operate bespoke rigs to conduct customized tests on components under simulated operating conditions.
Amentum Group Director Assurance and Technology Steve Hilton says: “Many of our colleagues who deliver our work for the submarine service used to serve in the Royal Navy and the sense of duty they feel remains every bit as strong. Together, we are working to safeguard the lives of the naval personnel serving in these boats and we are helping to secure an effective submarine service which is vital to the defence of the U.K.”
