BAE Supports UK Ventilator Efforts
BAE Systems, a British multinational defence, security, and aerospace company, will play a key part in the UK government's drive to manufacture thousands of new ventilators to combat the fast spread of coronavirus, an article published in Lanchashire Telegraph writes.
The UK Government has asked the VentilatorChallengeUK consortium to begin the rapid production of ventilator systems in the fight against Covid-19.
The article notes that the government is understood to be negotiating with a consortium of UK manufacturers to speed up production of a new ventilator based on existing technology.
- BAE's plants at Samlesbury and Warton already assemble life-support systems with oxygen masks using similar techniques for warplanes, it adds.
Last week a consortium called Ventilator Challenge UK, made up of heavyweights from industry, came together to work out a way to scale up production of a ventilator built in the UK and a modifying another design so it can be manufactured faster in British factories.
- We stand ready to support the Government and have offered our skills and expertise to help with the national endeavour during this unprecedented challenge facing our country, a BAE Systems spokesman said in the news article.
Given the urgent timescale with thousands of ventilators required in the coming weeks, it makes sense for companies with strong experience in producing ventilators to lead this effort, with others bringing expertise in high-value precision manufacturing and engineering to support them.
- We will be providing integrated, tested sub-systems and components, which makes best use of our strong project management and engineering skills, while saving significant time during the final assembly of the ventilators, BAE announced in a statement.
- This is a fantastic reflection on our employees’ commitment to help the UK at this time. They have worked tirelessly to support the ventilator initiative and continue to look at other ways to help the NHS and the nation during this difficult situation.
