BAE Systems awarded £60m MoD torpedo contract
Image courtesy BAE Systems / Crown Copyright / LA(Phot) Dan Rosenbaum
The team will design and develop the Sting Ray torpedo upgrade over a four-year assessment phase, which will include the construction of prototypes and in-water trials.
The upgrade will implement new technological features, including added deployment options, ensuring that Sting Ray continues to meet the challenge of emerging threats now and into the future.
The torpedo is currently in-service with armed forces around the world, including the UK Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, with the latter announcing its selection as part of its future torpedo capability on Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft last November.
Operational since the 1980s and designed to counter submarine targets of all types, Sting Ray can be launched from either ships or aircraft.
Cdre Richard Harris, Deputy Director Weapons Operating Centre at DE&S, said: “The Stingray Mid Life Upgrade Programme will enhance the UK’s lightweight torpedo, significantly improving the Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities delivered by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. This programme is an essential part of the daily mission that protects the nuclear deterrent and our undersea cables. I am grateful for the skills and expertise in the UK’s under water industries that provide the cutting edge technology that our armed forces need.”
Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business, said: “The Sting Ray torpedo remains at the heart of anti-submarine warfare. It’s a huge sign of confidence for the Company to be entering the next phase of development and be able to demonstrate its additional capabilities.
“This contract is vitally important to the UK’s strategic underwater defence plans and an important step in the advancement of our capability for decades to come.”
Cdre Steve Bolton, Deputy Director Aviation Programmes, Royal Navy, said: “This is great news for the Royal Navy and other Sting Ray users. We are taking what is already a very good anti-submarine warfare weapon and turning it into the best in class.”
Image courtesy BAE Systems / by Phil Stanton
The new contract will support more than 80 highly-skilled engineering jobs at BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business in Portsmouth as well as around 20 specialist manufacturing jobs at BAE Systems’ site in Hillend in Fife. It will also create additional investment in UK SME and high-tech suppliers across the UK.
