Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • QinetiQ secures Royal Navy contract to protect UK ships and subs

Defence

QinetiQ secures Royal Navy contract to protect UK ships and subs

QinetiQ has won an £18.7 million contract, Operational Assessment of Signatures Informing Susceptibility (OASIS), that will help reduce the acoustic and electromagnetic signatures of the Royal Navy’s submarines and ships.


Courtesy QinetiQ

Each ship or submarine has a unique acoustic and electromagnetic signature - the bigger this signature the easier it is to detect, identify and potentially attack. Measuring and understanding this signature over the lifetime of a vessel gives Navy Command and Commanding Officers the confidence that they are ready to fight and win in combat at sea.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Over a dozen services will be made available through the existing Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA)* – using the new event types and the output based approach to deliver a more cost effective service to the Royal Navy. The outputs are provided from a range of signature detection capabilities including underwater radiated noise; radar cross section; target echo strength; and electromagnetics supported by an extensive range of facilities, equipment and software delivered by highly skilled and knowledgeable engineers.

As part of the new contract all signature information collected will be stored within the Navy’s Maritime Knowledge Management (MKM) system, enabling stakeholders to access and use the repository of information as an aid to decision making on the management of individual platform signatures.

Commodore Martyn Williams, Royal Navy said: “The ability to maintain an in-depth knowledge of a ship or submarines acoustic and electromagnetic signature is an essential part of maintaining a battle winning edge - we can see them before they see us. But it is more than that. The data we collect today will inform the fleet of tomorrow and give us the information we need to respond to new threats at pace.”

Steve Fitz-Gerald, QinetiQ’s Managing Director of Maritime, Land and Weapons, said: “In a world where the pace of technological change is increasing and those that would wish the UK harm have access to ever more sophisticated equipment, it is vital that the Royal Navy is able to protect its fleet of warships and the women and men who serve on them.

“We are making a massive investment to create a modernised LTPA and the OASIS contract will be able to turn this investment into real value for our customers. Teams across QinetiQ continue to play a significant role in the modernisation of UK test and evaluation and development of capability for our forces.”

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

Footnote: *The Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) is a 25 year contract with the MoD to provide the facilities and expertise needed to generate and assure the equipment and new technology needed by the UK’s armed forces.

 

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
Teledyne
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
Leonardo RT