Indian/UK Naval Partnership

by Glyn
aircraft carrier design

The commander and the highest-ranking officer in the Indian Navy, Admiral Sunil Lanba was welcomed aboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth, one of UK’s new aircraft carriers. The Indian Navy and the Royal Navy have formed the Carrier Capability Partnership with the aim of developing joint capabilities and assisting India’s carrier programme.

aircraft carrier ship windows
Chief of the Indian Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and The Chief of Naval Staff, The First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones KCB ADC RN on the bridge of HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMNB Portsmouth.

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones commented: “I am sure we will be able to develop further synergies in our respective future carrier strike capabilities. The important thing is that by developing these capabilities in tandem, we build in a level of interoperability. When combined with our regular operational interaction and exercises such as the hugely valuable Konkan series there can be no doubt we will be increasingly well placed to work together across the full spectrum of Naval activity – from disaster relief to high end warfighting.”

Weighing in at 65,000-tonnes, HMS Queen Elizabeth is longer than the Houses of Parliament and her flight deck could accommodate three football pitches; she is the biggest warships ever built for the Royal Navy. Still under construction, the second of the Queen Elizabeth class carriers, HMS Prince of Wales will enter active service from 2020.

aircraft carrier
F-35B Lightning II jet’s conducting Developmental Trials onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Admiral Sunil Lanba was given a tour of HMS Queen Elizabeth and introduced to some of the many advanced features of Britain’s new carriers. Perhaps the most distinctive aspect are the twin islands and especially the futuristic form of the aft island which serves as a flight control tower. Dubbed the “Flyco”, the innovative air traffic control room was designed and manufactured by UK’s Tex Special Projects.

The first aircraft carrier and largest warship ever to be built in India for the Indian Navy is the INS Vikrant (meaning “courageous”). Design work began in 1999 and construction at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is expected to be completed by late 2020. India’s Pratex Power Vision Pvt Ltd and Tex Special projects are designing and managing the installation of the ultra-high specification glazing and ancillaries on the INS Vikrant.

ship windows

INS Vikrant under construction at CSL, Cochin, India.Main picture: The Chief of the Indian Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and The Chief of Naval Staff, The First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Cochin Shipyard Vendor Meet

by Glyn
ship windows

The first aircraft carrier and largest warship ever to be built in India for the Indian Navy is the INS Vikrant (meaning “courageous”). Design work began in 1999 and construction at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is expected to be completed by late 2020.

Pratex Power Vision Pvt Ltd are designing and managing the installation of the stainless steel window frames, ultra-high specification glazing, wipers and window wash systems.

ship windows
Opening address by the Chairman of CSL.

Ratee Prasad (Managing Director) and Rear Admiral (retd) Shankar Mathur (Director) of Pratex Power Vision Pvt Ltd attended the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) Vendor Meet ’19. The meeting was well attended and newly appointed Madhu S. Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard gave the opening address.

ship windows
Ratee Prasad and Shankar Mathur at the CSL Vendor Meet 2019.

Britain’s Biggest Warship

by Glyn
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b08zfk

What makes HMS Queen Elizabeth so unique? Three years in the making and with unprecedented access, a new BBC series tells the story of “Britain’s Biggest Warship.” Series 1:1 “Crewing Up”, first shown 15 April 2018 on BBC 2, documents Captain Jerry Kyd and his 700 crew as they embark on seal trials in the North Sea.

Pratex’s Tex Special Projects designed and manufactured the innovative Flying Control Room (FLYCO) and installed the glazing throughout the ship. Tex Special Projects design bespoke structural, engineering and glazing systems for both military and civilian application, and undertake research, design and development for leading edge engineering consultancies.

Tex Special Projects design bespoke structural, engineering and glazing systems for both military and civilian application, and undertake research, design and development for leading edge engineering consultancies.
Simulator view of the FLYCO.

Tex Special Projects are a division of Tex ATC, the world-renowned supplier of air traffic control rooms, prefabricated VCR’s and VCR refurbishment.

“Britain’s Biggest Warship”: now available on BBC iPlayer.

HMS Queen Elizabeth’s Commissioning Ceremony

by Glyn

UK’s new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy, entered service in Portsmouth today, 7 Dec 2017. The Queen, ship’s company and 3,700 guests attended to see the Royal Navy White Ensign raised on the vessel for the first time.

Pratex’s Tex Special Projects designed and manufactured the innovative Flying Control Room (FLYCO) and installed the glazing throughout the ship.

HMS Queen Elizabeth sails into her home port of Portsmouth for the first time, design by Tex Special Projects
The 65,000-tonne carrier was met with the warmest of welcomes as she arrived in her home port.

The Queen described the ship as “… the most powerful and capable ship ever to raise the White Ensign. At the forefront of these responsibilities will be the men and women of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, supported by the Army, Royal Air Force and by coalition partners. As the daughter, wife and mother of naval officers, I recognise the unique demands our nation asks of you and I will always value my special link to HMS Queen Elizabeth, her ship’s company and their families.”

HMS Queen Elizabeth sails into her home port of Portsmouth for the first time, design and engineering by Tex Special Projects.
The ship berthed at the newly-opened Princess Royal Jetty at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth.

Admiral Sir Philip Jones, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, described how today’s events confirmed Britain’s place “… among the world’s great maritime powers in the most majestic and muscular terms.” He added: “We have been on a long, complicated – but committed – journey to get to this point and commissioning the ship is a key milestone. The point of the big grey ship is it’s enormously big, flexible, capable and adaptable. The Queen Elizabeth-class carriers will sit at the heart of a modernised and emboldened Royal Navy, capable of projecting power and influence at sea, in the air, over the land and in cyberspace… ”

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said: “Congratulations from the Royal Air Force to the Royal Navy on achieving another important milestone in the UK’s Carrier Strike capability. I know the RAF and RN F-35 crews are looking forward to starting to fly from HMS Queen Elizabeth next year.”

Cake replica of the QEC Aircraft Carrier.
8ft-long (2.44m) cake replica of the ship!

UK Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin visits Tex Special Projects

by Glyn
Tex Special Projects QEC aircraft carrier

HMS Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s new 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier and the largest ship ever built for the Royal Navy, is soon to be formally commissioned into the Royal Navy fleet by Her Majesty the Queen. Pratex Power Visions’ very own Tex Special Projects designed and manufactured the innovative Flying Control Room (FLYCO) and installed the glazing throughout the ship. Over 10 years’ of feasibility studies, research, design and Finite Element Analysis was carried out at Tex’s UK site.

Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin during her visit to Tex Special Projects at Great Blakenham, near Ipswich. Picture Crown Copyright
Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin visits Tex Special Projects on 23 November 2017.

Harriett Baldwin explained “Soon our sailors will be watching, through these panes of glass, our F-35 fighter jets take off to defend our country. Our new aircraft carriers are a floating example of British industrial ingenuity and have helped to boost local businesses right up and down the UK.”

Chris Parker, Director reported “Tex Holdings have long been involved in a variety of Ministry of Defence projects such as designing visual control rooms within air traffic control centres for Royal Air Force and Royal Navy air stations across the UK. For this project we had to design and overcome some very demanding technical challenges, delivering a near uninterrupted 290-degree field of view of the flight deck, which is unparalleled in any nation’s warships. We feel incredibly privileged to have been a part of this very prestigious capital project. For 12 years we have provided our technical expertise and supplied the FLYCO and all the ship’s windows, wipers and blades. Without the Queen Elizabeth Class programme the Special Projects Company would never have been formed, so we are extremely grateful for the exceptional opportunity it afforded us.”

Read more about Harriett Baldwin’s visit on the HM Government GOV.UK and Ipswich Star.

Award Winning Design at INMEX SMM India 2017

by Glyn
Once again INMEX has proved to be an unrivalled venue and allowed us to demonstrate not only our 100 years’ experience in power generation and marine diesel engines, but also our expertise in advanced glazing systems for both military and civilian application.

INMEX SMM India 2017 was a great success and Pratex Power Vision would like to send out a big thank you to colleagues, partners, clients and industry leaders from 32 countries. Once again INMEX has proved to be an unrivalled venue and allowed us to demonstrate not only our 100 years’ experience in power generation and marine diesel engines, but also our expertise in advanced glazing systems for both military and civilian application.

Ratee Prasad (Managing Director) and Shankar Mathur (Director) of Pratex Power Vision.
Ratee Prasad (Managing Director) and Shankar Mathur (Director) of Pratex Power Vision.

The Pratex Power Vision stand featured UK’s Royal Navy Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier, the biggest and most powerful warship ever constructed for the Royal Navy, and showcased the technologically advanced FLYCO (Flying Control Room) designed and manufactured by our very own Tex Special Projects Division. In recognition of the contribution to both the project and the innovation of such an advance in glazing for the maritime environment, Tex Special Projects were awarded the industry coveted BAE Systems Design Award.

Key members from the Pratex Power Vision Group were able to attend
INMEX SMM India 2017 was a great success for Pratex Power Vision.

Key members from the Pratex Group were able to attend (see picture at top of page) including (from left to right) Shankar Mathur (Director, Pratex Power Vision), Ratee Prasad (Managing Director, Pratex Power Vision), Amanda Ritchie (Technical Consultant), Stephen Codd (Managing Director, Eurotex International), David Ritchie (Technical Consultant, Tex Special Projects), and Greg Chadwick (Managing Director, G&M Tex).

Pratex Power Vision working with the Indian and UK Navy
A big thank you to colleagues, partners, clients and industry leaders from 32 countries.

UK Royal Navy T45 Emergency Generators

by Glyn
G & M Tex Royal Navy T45 Destroyer

Working on behalf of BAE Systems Surface Ships, G & M Tex are the proud suppliers of the bespoke emergency generators for the Type 45 UK Royal Navy Destroyers. Unclassified design considerations include:

  • 24V electric starter
  • Secondary hydraulic starter
  • Software free control
  • Polar code considerations
  • Unique floating core radiator
  • Paint finish to EN ISO12944 Cat 5
  • LRS compliant
  • 6 x 250 kW radiator cooled gensets
  • Shock tested to MoD standards
  • Cummins KTA19 engines, Newage alternators and Selco controls

Lloyd’s Accreditation

by Glyn
Eurotex International Ruston RK engine undergoing in situ maintenance

Eurotex International Limited has been awarded Lloyd’s 3 year Quality Accreditation ISO 9001:2008.

The two day audit covered a comprehensive review of all inspection and overhaul procedures which was successfully concluded with certification being issued by Lloyd’s until 2017.

Eurotex International Ltd will be subjected to regular internal and external audits to guarantee product conformity and to positively migrate towards the new incoming ISO 9001:2014 standard.

All parts and services supplied by Eurotex International Ltd pass through stringent Quality Control and Quality Assurance programmes and are accompanied by full warranty and guarantee.

This accreditation gives all our customers the assurance of the highest support of their equipment with the comforting knowledge that Lloyd’s have approved the Eurotex International Ltd Quality Control and Quality Assurance programmes.

Eurotex are Lloyd’s ISO 9001:2008 Quality Accredited

Sea Trials

by Glyn
Tex ATC Division supplier of air traffic control rooms VCR refurbishment and bespoke structural engineering and glazing system solutions for military and civilian applications
Sea Trials – First Merlin Helicopter Landing on HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The 27th of June 2017 was a landmark day for HMS Queen Elizabeth as she sailed out of Rosyth Dockyard on her first sea trials, conducting a number of evolutions to prove conduct of air execution and navigation. These manoeuvres were supported by the key TEX ATC Division products of Flying Control Room (FLYCO) , Ship Windows, WIndow Wiper Wash System and Window Blinds.

The FLYCO on the aft island consists of two cantilevered steelwork sponsons and a glazing system affording the Royal Navy an unparalleled, virtually uninterrupted, 290 degree field of view of the flight deck, aircraft lifts and the aircraft visual circuit pattern. It is a unique operating space, being a world first in the defence maritime environment. The FLYCO is the key ship compartment to conduct air execution to and from the flight deck, hangar and within the carrier control zone. Ship navigation is conducted from the navigation bridge located on the forward island.

FLYCO, HMS Queen Elizabeth.

South Asia’s Largest Maritime Exhibition for Shipbuilding

by Glyn
Tex ATC Division supplier of air traffic control rooms VCR refurbishment and bespoke structural engineering and glazing system solutions for military and civilian applications

Pratex Power Vision will be attending the INMEX SMM India in Mumbai on the 3-5th October 2017. Pratex Power Vision are India’s leading supplier of specialist glazing solutions, power generation and engine refurbishment, and represent the interests of Tex Special Projects, Eurotex and G & M Tex. Our stand numbers are F60, F61 and F64 and we would love to meet you there to discuss your maritime requirements. Recent and current Naval projects include:

  • Royal Navy Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier, glazing, wipers and FLYCO
  • Supporting the Indian Navy for over 25 years, supplying Paxman generator engines for INS VIRAAT
  • UK Royal Navy T45 Emergency Generators (6 units), 300kWe
  • US Navy MLP/ESB Emergency Generators (5 units),  1000kWe
  • US Navy T-OA(X) Emergency Generators (17 units), 1500kWe
  • Australian Navy CCPV’s Auxiliary Generators (32 units), 248kWe
  • Australian Navy Fleet Service Generator, 1500kWe
  • Russian Navy OSV’s Auxiliary Generators (4 units), 248kWe
  • Russian Navy Hydrographic Vessels EDG’s (2 units), 230kWe
  • Irish Navy OPV’s Auxiliary Generators (12 units),  550kWe
  • Irish Navy OPV’s Emergency Generators (4 units), 370kWe
  • Sri Lankan Navy IPV’s Auxiliary Generators (4 units), 80kWe