Babcock, the British engineering firm, says it has completed design definition for a weapons handling system for a new class of South Korean Navy submarines.

Manufacturing drawings will now be produced as part of the next production definition phase of development, the company said.

"We are delighted to have completed the design of the handling system, marking an important stage in the WHLS (weapon handling and launch system) design and production process, and successfully meeting a challenging tight schedule to help the customer maintain the main build schedule," said Babcock Defense Systems Technology Managing Director Jeff Lewis.

Babcock was awarded a contract by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering to design the weapon handling and launch system for the 3,300 ton Jangbogo III submarine. Babcock will also manufacture the equipment for the first two boats of the class, which will number as many as nine vessels.

The WHLS features an air turbine pump and programmable firing valve launch system. Babcock said it is based on the principles used in the WHLS being supplied by Babcock for submarines of other navies.

Babcock said it has also completed the design of the weapon stowage equipment and centerline lift, which will use hydraulic control and actuation to handle weapons inside the submarine's weapon stowage compartment and load the weapons into the torpedo tubes.

WHLS sub-system designs also completed by Babcock include parts of the torpedo tube and the flood and drain system.