BAE Systems has secured a £60 million contract from the UK Ministry of Defence to enhance the Royal Navy’s autonomous Sting Ray lightweight torpedo.
The contract marks a significant step in upgrading the UK’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, with the project set to span four years and involve the design, development, and testing of advanced prototypes.
The Sting Ray torpedo, in service since the 1980s, is widely used by armed forces around the world, including the UK’s Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
It is designed to counter various submarine threats and can be deployed from both ships and aircraft. The Royal Air Force recently selected Sting Ray for its Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft as part of its future torpedo capabilities.
The upgrade will introduce new technological features and deployment options, ensuring the torpedo can adapt to evolving underwater threats.
As part of the four-year assessment phase, BAE Systems will develop and trial prototypes through in-water tests, ensuring the torpedo remains at the forefront of anti-submarine warfare.
Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business, emphasized the significance of the upgrade: “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 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.”
Commodore Steve Bolton, Deputy Director of Aviation Programmes for the Royal Navy, echoed this sentiment, stating, “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.”
The project will provide a boost to the UK defence industry, supporting more than 80 highly skilled engineering roles at BAE Systems’ Maritime Services division in Portsmouth, and 20 specialist manufacturing positions at the company’s site in Hillend, Fife.
Additionally, the contract should generate new opportunities in UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and high-tech suppliers across the country.
