Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Defence

Babcock completes Type 26 AWHS FAT

Babcock International has successfully completed Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) of the Air Weapons Handling System (AWHS) for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship, designed for BAE Systems.



Above: Babcock, BAE Systems and MoD representatives at FAT.
Courtesy Babcock International

The AWHS provides a flexible and configurable munitions stowage system, capable of safely storing and retrieving a variety of munition types within highly space constrained magazine environments.

Following several years of development by Babcock’s Defence Systems Technology team in Leicester, UK, the first in class unit, destined for Glasgow has now successfully completed Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT).

Advertisement
ODU RT

Andrew Hopkins, Babcock Programme Manager said: “The successful testing of this new Air Weapons Handling capability is the culmination of significant effort and collaboration between BAE Systems, Babcock and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over the last five years; offering the Royal Navy (RN) a step change in mechanised weapon handling capability including safety, speed of operation, space efficiency, weight, flexibility, shock resilience and low signature.”

Above: Babcock Lead Engineer Chris Connolly demonstrates extraction of a Sting Ray dummy torpedo during FAT.
Courtesy Babcock International

With testing culminating in an intensive three week factory acceptance period, Babcock’s engineering and production teams have successfully demonstrated the systems capability to representatives from BAE Systems, MoD, and RN – proving compatibility with both current and future weapons systems.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

BAE Systems T26 Delivery Lead for Guided Weapons said: “This is a significant step forward for the AWHS, the FAT has clearly demonstrated the performance, function and flexibility of the design; it is a credit to the Babcock project team.

"Following the trials there is every confidence that the system can be successfully integrated into the T26 platform and proven as a highly efficient weapon handling system. Thanks also to the MoD customer who has supported the trials notably with the provision of all the weapon types and their trolleys/containers.”


 

Advertisement
Babcock LB
Lane Electronics to showcase defence connectivity at MSPO

Aerospace Defence Events

Lane Electronics to showcase defence connectivity at MSPO

11 July 2025

Lane Electronics, a franchised distributor for many of the industry’s major electrical, electronic and optical connector manufacturers, will be Exhibiting at MSPO 2025 (2nd–5th September 2025, Kielce, Poland), where they will be displaying the latest connector innovations and demonstrating their UK based assembling and value add services.

Flitetec secures two distribution agreements

Aerospace Defence Events

Flitetec secures two distribution agreements

11 July 2025

Amersham based aerospace business Flitetec, has confirmed two major deals that it shook on at the recent Paris Air Show.

GKN Aerospace secures Typhoon transparencies contract

Defence

GKN Aerospace secures Typhoon transparencies contract

10 July 2025

GKN Aerospace has signed a six-year follow-on contract with BAE Systems for continued manufacture of Eurofighter Typhoon transparencies at its Luton facility, through to the end of 2030.

Metis to supply Skyperion to NATO ally

Defence Security

Metis to supply Skyperion to NATO ally

10 July 2025

Metis has won a contract to supply a number of Skyperion drone detection systems to a NATO customer to provide the drone detect function as part of an integrated Counter Uncrewed Air Systems (C-UAS) capability.

Advertisement
Teledyne
ALL.SPACE unveils Hydra MAX

Defence Space

ALL.SPACE unveils Hydra MAX

10 July 2025

ALL.SPACE has revealed a major advancement in mobile satellite communications with the successful demonstration of Hydra MAX - the first network independent terminal of its kind to deliver ultra wideband communications to multiple satellites simultaneously.

BAE Systems assessed

Defence

BAE Systems assessed 'Awardable' for US DoD work in P1 Solutions Marketplace

9 July 2025

BAE Systems in collaboration with Defense Unicorns, have announced that their joint solution has achieved 'Awardable' status for US Department of Defense (DoD) work through the US Platform One (P1) Solutions Marketplace.

Advertisement
ODU RT