Spearfish torpedoes – which use sonar to home in on targets
- are carried by the Royal Navy’s Astute class and
Trafalgar class hunter-killer submarines and the nuclear
deterrent Vanguard class to neutralise underwater and
surface threats.
While Sting Ray torpedoes are deployed on Anti-Submarine
Warfare mission, including frigates, Merlin and Wildcat
helicopters. They provide a close attack capability which
also automatically targets in on enemy threats.
Supporting over 100 skilled jobs at the BAE Systems Broad
Oak facility in Portsmouth, the Torpedoes Repair and
Maintenance (TRAM) contract will run for six years. TRAM
supersedes the Torpedo Capability Contract (TCC) with BAE
Systems which ran for 10 years.
Defence Minister said:
Our Royal Navy submarines require sophisticated defensive
and offensive underwater weapons to deter a wide range of
surface and subsurface threats.
This £230 million investment is crucial in safeguarding
the availability and effectiveness of these highly
capable weapon systems whilst supporting skilled British
jobs.
The contract will help guarantee the Royal Navy’s inventory
of Spearfish Heavyweight and Sting Ray Lightweight
torpedoes. A full suite of maintenance activity is also
included. This support ranges from technical repair,
provision of spares, stock management, logistics and trials
support.
Ensuring the torpedoes are safely stored is vital, so the
contract also offers safety, environment and engineering
advice to support the continued secure use of the weapons.
Dr Brooke Hoskins, Director of Products and Training Services
for BAE Systems Maritime Services said:
BAE Systems’ teams have developed, manufactured, and
supported the UK’s torpedoes since the 1970s. Torpedoes
have a vital role in layered anti-submarine warfare. We
are incredibly proud to continue delivering these
critical support services to the Royal Navy through a
combination of our agile and innovative forward thinking
and our heritage and expertise.
