Ministry of Defence decision on Next Generation Light Anti-Armour Weapon
Special Transport Containers for Astrium's New Satellite
US Order For EPS Logistics Technology Limited To Protect Tornado Reconaissance Pods
Motor Yachts And Boats Protected From Climatic Damage By New Cover System
The Storm Shadow Container
Flexible 3-Section Contamination Chamber with zip door openings.
Special Lifting Beam designed to recover Russian "Supercontainers" in accident
Environmental Packaging Beats Climatic Hazards

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EPS Logistics Technology Ltd Welcomes Ministry of Defence decision on Next Generation Light Anti-Armour Weapon (NLAW) and predicts additional investment and jobs in Kent

The Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Bach, has announced that the NLAW team has been chosen as the preferred supplier for the Next Generation Light Anti-Armour Weapon Programme (UK NLAW) valued at around £400 million.

A spokesman for EPS Logistics Technology Ltd., Sittingbourne said "EPS Logistics is proud to be playing a part in the production of a missile which is expected to have worldwide export appeal, with predicted sales of 80,000 to 100,000 weapons, manufactured and supplied by Team NLAW."

"This missile is second to none and we are pleased that the Ministry of Defence has put its trust in the NLAW team. The announcement will ensure a high level of technology transfer and industrial participation in the UK with a significant opportunity to increase exports. This means to EPS Logistics the opportunity to exploit new technologies which will ensure a long-term future on this, and similar programmes."

"We are delighted for all our team members, a group of 14 UK subcontractors selected by SAAB Bofors Dynamics AB to meet the UK MoD's requirement for 100% UK industrial participation in the NLAW programme. This programme is also being funded by Sweden and could enter service with the Swedish Army. This will form part of a joint contract managed by DPA on behalf of both the UK and Swedish requirement. The Missiles will be assembled in the UK and packaged in specially designed containers produced here at EPS Logistics. This will result in more than 500 high quality, long-term jobs throughout the UK including securing and/or creating up to 20 jobs here."

"I would like to thank our local MP Mr Derek Wyatt who helped us make our case and all our team members who have been part of a uniquely strong team. NLAW will enable the British Army to do its job more effectively well into the foreseeable future. The UK taxpayer will get excellent value for money and the UK industry will be at the forefront of delivering this programme. We look forward to delivering the system to the Army and to creating further jobs through exports."

Special Transport Containers for Astrium's New Satellite

EPS Logistics Technology Ltd has recently delivered two special containers for satellite makers Astrium, to handle the new Eurostar 3000 communications satellite payload walls.

These containers are essential to Astrium because: -

• the panels are each valued at £3.5 million and
• are too big to be transported by road, flat or vertically, without special provision. To move them between Astrium's Stevenage, Portsmouth and Toulouse sites, they must travel at an optimum angle of 50°.

The aluminium honeycomb-composite 'Y' panels, measuring 3m wide by 4m high, and 25mm thick, make up the north and south walls of the huge Eurostar spacecraft.

Though lightweight, at only 50kg, the panels can carry up to 250kg of electronic equipment and so must be supported on special handling frames weighing about 400kg.

For transport and up to 3 months external storage, Astrium required the containers to provide the highest physical and environmental protection. The panels have to be stored in a very dry environment with a maximum dew point of -20°C, equal to 18% relative humidity at 22°C and must survive a 100mm drop or a 2g maximum acceleration.

EPS LT designed the containers to be 7.27m long, 2.9m wide and 3.3m high and made them of a framework of aluminium extrusion with aluminium cladding.

Before the containers are transported the air inside is de-humidified and a process integrated into each container to re-generate the desiccant, reduces the need to open them. They are also free breathing, to prevent pressure build-up and are fitted with high efficiency particle arresters to maintain a 'clean room' environment.

The containers incorporate their own removable trolleys, which rotate the 'Y' panels to 50° for loading and transport. The trolleys are loaded and unloaded on retractable pneumatic roller tracking, keeping the overall container height within UK road bridge clearance limits.

The trolleys, with integral shock mounts, also protect the 'Y' panels when being moved within Astrium's facilities. In addition they are fitted with relative humidity, temperature and accelerator sensors and data recorders to monitor the local environment and the conditions to which the panels are subjected. The data can be downloaded from outside the unopened container.

Astrium's projects spokesman confirmed, "We used EPS Logistics Technology because of their great experience in making hi-integrity packaging, for valuable, sensitive equipment. We needed to use a reliable company which appreciated the technical demands, as well as the significant budget and delivery deadline pressures on a project like this."

U.S. Order For EPS Logistics Technology Limited To Protect Tornado Reconnaissance Pods

Eps Logistics Technology Limited, Sittingbourne, designers and manufacturers of specialised high-integrity, re-usable containers, have been contracted by Raytheon Systems Limited for the design, development and production of the Tornado RAPTOR Pod Storage and Shipping Container. The contract was won against strong competition from UK and foreign bidders and following detailed negotiations with Raytheon's Conneticut and Lexington, MA offices.

The container is required to handle a Reconnaissance Airborne Pod for Tornado (RAPTOR) in transport by land, air and sea and long term storage of up to 5 years, with a service life of 20 years. It must protect against extremes of environment Worldwide, also handling shocks and vibration. the container comprises steel wire shock and vibration isolation mounts. These must limit the acceleration experienced by the Pod to less than 6g when subjected to demands such as free fall drops, horizontal impact and random vibration input spectra.

The internal relative humidity is controlled to less than 50% by a silica gel dessicant charge. This can be replaced without removing the lid and monitored externally. Two way pressure relief valves equalise pressure differentials during air transportation, including during emergency rapid decompression. The container, size 6.5 x 1.4 x 1.4 metres and gross mass 2000kg, is stackable 3 high. It is closely based on EPS LT's Storm Shadow missile container design for MBD (UK) and will comprise specially designed aluminium alloy extrusions, castings and sheet.

The contract involves a 13 month programme, covering design, analysis, testing and full production of the containers. Production of the first off Prototype is planned to start mid-November. Following qualification testing, the remaining containers must be completed by June 2001.

Raytheon is a new customer for EPS LT. They awarded the contract due to EPS LT's innovative and cost effective design solution, their experience in this field and the company's commitment to helping Raytheon achieve their customer's programme.

Specifiers and Engineers responsible for protecting and handling vital high value, sensitive equipment can be confident in EPS LT's 40 year history and highly qualified Technical personnel. The company is committed to the highest standards of quality (to ISO9001) and service to Defence, Aerospace, Offshore, Power Generation and other customers.

Motor Yachts And Boats Protected From Climatic Damage By New Cover System

A new concept in motor yacht and boat preservation is being introduced by the Marine Division of manufacturers EPS Logistics Technology Limited. Used for many years to protect high value road and military vehicles, aircraft and helicopters, the DRICLAD cover system is now available to keep boats safe, dry and protected from external and atmospheric hazards during storage.

Available for motor boats (with trailers) up to 26ft/8m and large boats/yachts up to 90ft/27m, Driclad covers provide cost-effective protection against salt-laden air, humidity, contaminants, sand, dust, fungus, mould and ultra-violet radiation. The covers are both resealable and re-usable over many years, thanks to a special built-in Drilok closure and operate efficiently in all climatic conditions at temperatures from -35°C up to +60°C. The cover system minimises the effects of catalytic corrosion; wooden veneers fittings and soft furnishings do not deteriorate; and all chrome and stainless steel fittings remain untarnished. DRICLAD is also beneficial in the treatment of osmosis.

"Driclad eliminates the need for costly cleaning and maintenance during storage. Boats are ready for instant use. The covers also help improve service history, minimise overall costs and maximise asset value."

The dry atmosphere inside the DRICLAD cover is maintained either by desiccant applications, or by a humidistat controlled dehumidifier, providing a cost-effective and efficient method of humidity control. The atmosphere is monitored by humidity indicators visible through external vision panels. Access is easy at any point along the re-sealable DRILOK closure, or (for large boat covers) through a pedestrian entrance.

The covers are custom made and are available for most models. DRICLAD is also available for Personal Watercraft (complete with trailer) of all sizes and makes.

Winning Container design brings biggest contract to EPS Logistics Technology Ltd

EPS Logistics Technology Limited, Sittingbourne, designers and manufacturers of specialised high-integrity, re-usable containers, have been contracted by MBDA (formerly Matra BAe Dynamics (UK) Limited) for the design, development and production of containers for the STORM SHADOW Missile, the winning contender for the Ministry of Defence's Conventionally Armed Stand Off Missile (CASOM) requirement.

Worth approximately £20 million, this is the biggest contract ever won by the company.

The container is required to protect the STORM SHADOW missile in all forms of transport, handling and storage world-wide, against extremes of environment including temperature, humidity, precipitation, sand, dust, lightning strike, electro-static discharge and nuclear weapons effects. For protection against shock (e.g. drops, shunts, underwater explosion etc.) and vibration, the container features a special suspension system, which will prevent the missile being subject to accelerations greater than 10g. The container, size 5.6 x 1.3 x 1.3 metres, comprises specially designed aluminium alloy extrusions, castings and sheet and features a removable cradle, to load the missile on to EF2000, Tornado and Harrier aircraft.

The contract covers extensive design, analysis and qualification testing of prototypes prior to full production, which commenced mid 2002 at EPS LT's Sittingbourne factory. Production is planned to run to mid 2007, with the possibility of further sales from additional export customers.

MBDA chose EPS Logistics to supply this vital element of the overall weapon system due to the innovative and cost effective design solution proposed, coupled with the company's long experience of providing similar special-to-purpose containers.

Specifiers and Engineers responsible for protecting and handling vital, high value, sensitive equipment can be confident in EPS LT's 50 year history and highly qualified Technical personnel. The company is committed to the highest standards of quality (to ISO 9001) and service to Defence, Aerospace, Offshore, Power Generation and other customers.

For more information contact Tim Judge on:

Tel: +44 (0) 1795 415223
Fax: +44 (0) 1795 436035
e-mail: sales@epslt.co.uk

New -type contamination chambers installed at Bradwell Power Station

During this year's Reactor Outage, BNFL-Magnox Bradwell's Health Physics Department insisted on rigorous radioactive contamination control. The hazard had to be fully contained, especially at the duct and boiler accesses. Two problems, however, were that: one duct access was located on the reactor building roof, exposed to high winds and poor weather off the North Sea; all accesses were placed in constrained, hot working areas. These conditions meant that BNFL-Magnox required containment structures not only radioactively reliable but flexible enough for assembly in difficult conditions.

BNFL-Magnox approached EPS Logistics Technology Limited, Sittingbourne to propose a solution. They responded with specially designed prefabricated 'Contamination Chambers'.

Following a site survey, EPS LT constructed lightweight 3-section chambers, which were easily carried to reactor accesses through constricted channels and walkways and erected in kit form in confined spaces. These gave engineers optimum room in which to work and subsequently to remove respirators and outer clothing (PPE) in Chamber 3; a second layer of PPE in Chamber 2; and finally a clean exit from the reactor access area through Chamber 1.

Bradwell's Health Physics Engineer, Peter Blott confirmed that the chambers "Stood up to the task extremely well. The chambers were easily carried and fitted the duct and boiler accesses with minimum adjustment. There was no tearing and all air samples taken plus routine swab tests confirmed that dust was retained within the enclosures. They were also easily wiped clean ready for re-use".

The chambers comprise non-rust galvanised steel frames with key clamp fittings; special lightweight, reinforced, flame-retardant and translucent PVC material; and zip door closures for each chamber section. The duct access sleeves, whilst close fitting, are flexible enough to fit various duct diameters. When extended, the chambers are approximately 3 meters long x 2 metres wide x 2 metres high.

BNFL-Magnox Bradwell now have four sets of contamination chambers for one reactor. A key advantage is that they are directly transferable to their second reactor when required.

Engineers and Technicians responsible for specifying high integrity containment requirements can be confident in EPS LT's 40 year history and highly qualified, experienced Technical personnel. The company is committed to the highest standards of quality (to ISO 9001) and service to Power Generation, Offshore, Defence, Aerospace and other clients.

For a corporate brochure and full details contact Tim Judge on:

Tel: +44 (0) 1795 415223
Fax: +44 (0) 1795 436035
E-mail: sales@epslt.co.uk

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Special Lifting Beam Designed To Recover Russian "Supercontainers" in Accident

In 1992 EPS Logistics Technology Limited designed and manufactured nuclear 'canister' overback containers, called 'Supercontainers' as a sub-contractor to AWE, Aldermaston for the Russian Government. These were protecting, securing and storing nuclear weapons, being transported by road and rail across the old Soviet Union for de-commissioning. In 1997 the Russian Government questioned: What happens if a Supercontainer falls from a rail car, lorry or crane and lands in a difficult recovery location and position?

EPS LT was again approached by AWE to find a solutions and responded with its Supercontainer Abnormal Event Beam. The Beam is an assembly enabling a loaded Supercontainer to be safely recovered from various attitudes onto its base, following an accident.

EPT LT begin by assuming that any fallen container would be damaged and all regular lifting points unusable. They also assumed that extreme environmental conditions would prevail at the time of any accident. A further special requirement was that the recovery equipment had to be available in kit form, comprising elements no more than 100kg mass, for easy assembly and handling in restricted areas (this despite the fact that its job would be to lift a loaded nuclear container of over 5000kg, potentially from any position for rapid crash site recovery).

Following design, EPS LT made 3 prototypes and subjected them to proof testing, ultimate strength testing and handling proving trails. These were conducted to the complete satisfaction of AWE, the U.S. DTRRA (Defense Threat Reduction Agency) and the Russian Authorities. EPS LT has now received an order for 10 beams.

The beam is usable in several modes with different sling and shackling points, to lift the Supercontainer from various positions, e.g. lying on its side, on one end, upside down, or at steep angles. The ends of the beam feature brackets mounted on stub shafts with dry bearings, allowing them to rotate relative to the beam, ensuring that whatever the angle of lift, the beam aligns correctly. The main lifting point of the beam can also adjust to suit various lift configurations to ensure that eccentricity of lift, due to the centre of gravity position, is minimized. Where container lifting points are damaged or inaccessible, special clamp blocks have been designed to fit flanges on the container side walls and transfer the lifting loads as widely as practicable.

Special steels with proven properties at temperatures as low as -40c have been used to allow for extreme weather conditions. This in turn has required special welding techniques and procedures to be developed and adopted.

Designers and Engineers responsible for specifying high integrity containers and ground handling equipment can be confident in EPS LT's 40 year history and highly qualified Technical personnel. The company is committed to the highest standards of quality (to ISO 9001) and service to Defence, Aerospace, Offshore, Power Generations and other clients.

For a corporate brochure and full details contact Tim Judge on:

Tel: +44 (0) 1795 415223
Fax: +44 (0) 1795 436035
E-mail: sales@epslt.co.uk

Special lifting bean designed to recover Russian 'Supercontainers' in Accident

Environmental Packaging Beats Climatic Hazards

A flexible, re-usable preservation system, used for many years in the defence industry to protect equipment from corrosion and other environmental hazards, is now being introduced into the wider engineering market by manufacturers EPS Logistics Technology Limited (EPS LT).

Made from flexible thermoplastic and metal foil laminate barrier materials, Driclad environmental packaging keeps goods and equipment safe, dry and protected from external and atmospheric hazards during transit and storage.

Driclad covers provide cost -effective protection again humidity, contaminants, sand, dust, fungus, mould and ultra-violet radiation. The covers are both re-sealable and re-usable, thanks to a special built-in Driclad closure, which allows users easy access to the bag at any point along the seal.

The cost of protecting vital equipment such as mechanical seals, turbines and pumps from corrosion caused by damp or salt-laden air and other environmental hazards can be considerable.

"Driclad eliminates the need for costly pre-and post-storage preparation, minimising downtime and ensure that equipment can be reactivated at a moment's notice. The costs are custom made and can be used to protect items of any size or complexity from the smallest plant components to the largest turbines.

"We work closely with each customer to select the most appropriate material for the application, bearing in mind the operations conditions and hazards the equipment is likely to be subjected to."

The internal environment of the Driclad cover can be controlled by either silica gel desiccant or an electrical dehumidifier, and monitored by internal humidity indicators or optional digital meters. The covers have excellent resistance to water vapour transmission and are operable in a variety of climatic conditions at temperatures from -35c up to 60c. Additional features, such as viewing panels, documentation's pockets, pressure relief valves and reinforcement can be incorporated into the cover design as required.

For further information contact:

Tim Judge
EPS Logistics Technology Limited
Staplehurst Road
Sittingbourne
Kent ME10 1XS

Tel: +44 (0) 1795 415223
Fax: +44 (0) 1795 436035
E-mail: sales@epslt.co.uk

Storage covers for Power Generation Industry