Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Marshall Slingsby Advanced Composites secures submarine optronic mast development contract

Defence

Marshall Slingsby Advanced Composites secures submarine optronic mast development contract

Thales in the UK has awarded Marshall Slingsby Advanced Composites a contract to develop and produce next-generation composite optronic mast fairings for submarines.



Image courtesy Marshall

Building on the successful delivery of multiple variants of optronic mast fairings for Thales over the last 25 years, the new project will support the delivery of the next-generation Dreadnought-class submarine programme by BAE Systems Submarines.

Expected to enter service in the early 2030s, Dreadnought is the replacement programme for the Royal Navy’s Vanguard-class submarines, which maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

The mast fairings will employ the latest design and manufacture techniques, taking advantage of cutting-edge materials technologies and in-house production knowledge to achieve the quality requirements necessary for submarine environments.

Carl Morse, Managing Director of Marshall Slingsby Advanced Composites, commented: "This new contract is a clear show of confidence in our industry-leading ability to design and build composite structures for the aerospace and defence sector.

"We are proud of our heritage of contributing to key UK defence programmes and our reputation for delivering on time and to budget as a trusted partner."

Richard French, Sea Business Sector Director at Thales in the UK, said: "We are pleased to award the contract to develop and build the optronic masts for Dreadnought to Marshall Slingsby Advanced Composites - a longstanding Thales supplier with outstanding technological capabilities and exemplary consistency of delivery.

"We look forward to progressing on this programme with Marshall as we deliver capabilities for the new Dreadnought class and Royal Navy."

 

Advertisement
ODU RT

 

 

 


 

Advertisement
PTC PTC
Royal Navy establishes autonomous minesweeping capability

Defence

Royal Navy establishes autonomous minesweeping capability

4 July 2025

The Royal Navy has - for the first time - established an autonomous minesweeping capability, after new systems were delivered to help combat the rapidly evolving threat of naval mines.

Serco appoints Keith Williams as Chair

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Serco appoints Keith Williams as Chair

4 July 2025

Serco has appointed Keith Williams to the Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair designate.

BAE Systems to continue developing AFRL

Defence

BAE Systems to continue developing AFRL's BATDOK

4 July 2025

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has selected BAE Systems to continue development and support deployment of the Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distributed Operations Kit (BATDOK) via the new Force Optimization through Rapid-prototyping, Gear Enhancements & Innovative Technology (FORGE-IT) programme.

Boeing appoints Stephen Parker as CEO of BDS

Defence Security Space

Boeing appoints Stephen Parker as CEO of BDS

3 July 2025

Boeing has appointed Stephen (Steve) Parker as president and chief executive officer of its Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business, effective immediately.

Advertisement
Leonardo RT
Lancashire aims at advancing cyber-enabled defence and security

Defence Security Events

Lancashire aims at advancing cyber-enabled defence and security

3 July 2025

Over 200 senior business leaders, investors, policymakers and academics from across the UK gathered this week at the Lancashire Cyber Festival to discuss Lancashire’s opportunity to become a global leader in cyber-enabled defence and security.

Airframe Designs aligns with US NCAMP standards

Aerospace Defence Security

Airframe Designs aligns with US NCAMP standards

3 July 2025

Airframe Designs has aligned its material systems with the US National Centre for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP) which works with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry partners to support its existing testing processes.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT