FAREHAM, England, June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

BAE Systems Maritime Services has awarded TÜV SÜD Product Service a contract to develop an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test programme for the Machinery Control and Surveillance (MCAS) system being installed on the Royal Navy's eight HUNT Class Mine Counter Measures Vessels (MCMVs).

TÜV SÜD will develop and action an EMC test plan for the new MCAS system, which is based on commercial off-the-shelf equipment, at its Hampshire laboratories. The work is part of a six-year contract worth £15m, which was awarded to BAE Systems to replace propulsion systems on the Royal Navy's MCMV fleet.

Mark Draper, HUNT Re-Propulsion project manager at BAE Systems, said: "TÜV SÜD has an in-depth understanding of exactly what is needed as it has worked with the MoD for many years to develop compliance standards. Also, this major upgrade work is being carried out at our facilities in Portsmouth, so their close proximity to us and proven track record in the defence market made them the ideal choice to support us."

TÜV SÜD's expert consultants will review existing EMC data for the MCAS system equipment to determine the testing procedures required to address any gap in the EMC test requirements against the defence standards. It will then produce an EMC risk analysis and develop a test plan for the MCAS system.

Jean-Louis Evans, Managing Director of TÜV SÜD Product Service, said: "Because the MCMVs have glass reinforced plastic hulls and potentially high magnetic sensitivity, everything on them must comply with the most stringent 'above deck' EMC requirements. This makes product development more complex when ensuring that every element of a system is not susceptible to electrical interference. Working with BAE Systems in the past means that we have a good understanding of both their business and the MoD's compliance requirements, which will ensure an effective EMC programme is developed to help BAE Systems achieve the targets within its contract."

About TÜV SÜD Product Service http://www.tuvps.co.uk

TÜV SÜD Product Service is one of the world's leading experts in product testing and certification, with 150,000 product certificates in circulation globally.

TÜV SÜD Product Service's sister company, TÜV SÜD BABT, is the world's leading radio and telecommunications certification body, and is a Notified Body under the European Union's Marine Equipment and R&TTE Directives. http://www.babt.com