The Maritime Strategic Capabilities Agreement (MSCA) is a 15-year agreement between MOD and QinetiQ for the provision of a sustainable set of strategic capabilities, including both facilities and suitably qualified and experienced personnel (SQEP), that are fundamental to the acquisition and support of MOD Maritime Projects, in particular submarines.
Our defence clients need confidence that the submarines they use are safe, affordable and effective. They test these issues during concept and detailed build and in service. However, submarines are built in small numbers, and it is crucial that the UK Ministry of Defence has the assurance that the capability will be maintained.
The MSCA delivers 4 key capabilities to the MOD via teams of QinetiQ experts:
- Hydromechanics
- Maritime Life Support
- Structures & Survivability
- Acoustic materials
QinetiQ has been providing these capabilities, securely and confidently, for many years and will continue to do so under the MSCA. Some examples of our support include:
- After an incident with HMS SUPERB, QinetiQ's hydromechanics facilities and analysts investigated contingency towing options. HMS SUPERB was able to safely return to the UK without a tow whilst the MOD was fully informed at all times of the options available, the benefits and the consequences.
- Our Life Support capability is being used for manned and un-manned trials, expert advice and support, ensuring safety for the new Royal Navy Clearance Divers’ Life Support Equipment.
- We conducted Tower escape system trials to support the introduction of ASTUTE. Our capabilities include modelling escape system performance, proposing alternative escape philosophies and developing escape system standards.
- Our Hyperbaric Medicine Unit treats defence, commercial and recreational divers and also provides essential Diving Medical Officer training for the Institute of Naval Medicine.
- MOD has reduced hull surveys on a submarine class, saving millions of pounds. This was as a result of recommendations we made after comparing analysis of operational loads with our detailed understanding of the structure’s ability to sustain defects.