Vaughan Wilson, Project Manager at CPE commented: CPE has already carried out numerous contracts for similar work on the Astute Class submarine, including watertight doors, torpedo tubes and re-fuelling plugs. The watertight doors in themselves are very complex items. Some of the items require special materials, heat treatment or need to be fabricated, so it all involves a lot of engineering skills and technical know-how.

Theres a lot of complex welding required on the project. Fortunately, CPE possesses the necessary experience and skills in welding to do this. We use a range of different welding techniques on the doors, including MIG, TIG and flux-cored arc welding, either manually or automatic, added Wilson.

CPE manufactures high specification doors for use in submarines, surface vessels and platforms, ranging from watertight doors and tunnel doors. All these are machined and assembled from castings and forgings, working from drawings provided by the customer.