The UK government has granted BAE Systems a £60 million contract to upgrade the Sting Ray lightweight torpedo, which serves as the standard torpedo for Royal Navy vessels and helicopters, in addition to being utilized by the RAF’s latest Poseidon P8 long-range maritime patrol aircraft.
Sting Ray has been operational with the Royal Navy since 1983 and is currently deployed by Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, which release the weapon into the ocean near suspected hostile submarines. Alternatively, it can be launched from horizontal launchers on a Type 23 frigate.
The current Mod 1 variant can travel through the water at speeds of up to 45 knots, utilizing both active and passive sonar to locate its submerged targets. Upon striking its target, the torpedo’s 45-kilogram Torpex explosive charge, which constitutes one-sixth of its total weight, detonates, resulting in the destruction of the target.
Despite ongoing upgrades since its inception, a comprehensive redesign of Sting Ray is now necessary to create a new version. Over the next four years, specialists from BAE Systems in Portsmouth and Fife will be tasked with designing, developing, and constructing prototypes of Sting Ray Mod 2, followed by in-water testing.
This upgrade will incorporate advanced technological features and additional deployment options, ensuring that Sting Ray remains effective against emerging threats both now and in the future. This initiative coincides with the Royal Navy’s heavyweight torpedo, Spearfish, which has recently completed its mid-life upgrade and is being integrated into service with the Submarine Service.
“This is great news for the Royal Navy and other Sting Ray users,” said Commodore Steve Bolton, Deputy Director Aviation Programmes for the Royal Navy.
“We are taking what is already a very good anti-submarine warfare weapon and turning it into the best in class.”
Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business, said the upgrades would benefit the UK – and her allies – long into the future.
“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.”
The contract will support more than 100 highly-skilled engineering/manufacturing jobs at BAE Systems’ sites in Portsmouth and Hillend, Fife, and will also support high-tech suppliers across the UK.
