Vosper Thornycroft Wins Warship Contract

Vosper Thorneycroft has won a $205 million British government contract to build two new specialist warships, safeguarding 800 jobs at the Appledore Shipyard. The multi-role Hydrographic and Oceanographic survey vessels are due to enter service in 2002 and 2003. The new 3,500 ton ships will be equipped with the latest survey systems, including multi-beam echo sounders and modern side sonars as well as advanced navigation and communications systems.