BAE Systems’ concepts for Royal Navy’s Future Air Dominance System
Following the outline FADS requirement issued by the RN earlier this year, BAE Systems has begun development of its Air Warfare Command Ship solutions and other supporting elements. At DSEI 2025, the company shared their initial design ideas, including increased automation, modularity, and efforts to ensure affordability.
Current news
Deepening industrial collaboration on next-generation Royal Navy submarine sonar systems
Thales UK and BAE Systems have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding that formalises a longstanding partnership to deliver and integrate sonar technology for RN submarines. The agreement will play a fundamental role in enabling the SSN-AUKUS programme and ensuring sovereign sonar development capability is maintained into the future.
Herne XLUUV progressing towards operational readiness
BAE Systems unveiled the third iteration of the Herne extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV) at DSEI 2025. This will be available for the Royal Navy or export customers to purchase as an operational platform from the end of 2026.
In focus: HMS Mersey – Royal Navy patrol ship at high readiness
We visited HMS Mersey to speak with the Commanding Officer and learn how this Batch I OPV continues to make a valuable contribution to UK maritime security. Now more than two decades old, Mersey remains an active and adaptable platform, with recent upgrades and new ways of working helping to extend her utility
Harland and Wolff prepares to build the Fleet Solid Support ships
Work is gathering pace across four UK sites as infrastructure upgrades, workforce expansion, and preparations for Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship construction move forward under the leadership of Navantia UK.
Running on empty – how the Royal Navy nearly kept HMS Ark Royal into the 1980s
Based on historical research in the National Archives, in the guest article, veteran defence blogger ‘Sir Humphrey‘, outlines how serious consideration was given to extending the service life of HMS Ark Royal (RO9).
Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate on course for export success in Scandinavia
The FT reports the UK is in advanced negotiations to build new warships for Denmark and Sweden. Having just won an order for 5 Type 26 frigates for Norway, this would be a remarkable turnaround in UK warship exports with great benefits to the RN and the wider British economy.
