Towed array sonar integrated with Royal Navy experimental autonomous submarine
A lightweight towed array sonar developed by SEA has been successfully integrated and trialled with the Manta XLUUV. This combination of technologies has significant implications for anti-submarine warfare, seabed warfare and underwater surveillance capabilities.
Babcock awarded 10-year contract for dry docking Royal Navy aircraft carriers at Rosyth
Number 1 dry dock in Rosyth has been selected as the facility for all maintenance and repairs that cannot be done when the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers are afloat.
In focus: the Bofors 57mm Mk 3 gun that will equip the Type 31 frigates
The Type 31 frigates will introduce two guns types new to Royal Navy service. In the second of two articles examining these weapons, we look at the Bofors 57mm Mk3 gun.
HMS Shoreham – the next Royal Navy minehunter to decommission
HMS Shoreham has left her home port of Faslane for the final time to conduct a brief tour of the UK before she is formally decommissioned in Rosyth.
HMS Echo reduced to low readiness as Royal Navy considers options for replacement capability
Survey vessel, HMS Echo arrived in Portsmouth on 29 March. For the last few weeks she has been de-storing and has now joined RFA Wave Knight laid up in the non-tidal basin. She has not been decommissioned but her future is undecided. Here we look at why the RN will, at least temporarily, make do […]
From concept to reality – the next generation of naval subsea technologies
The Royal Navy recently announced its ambitious vision for the future underwater domain, stating that it must leverage cutting edge technologies from industry, academia and the RN innovation ecosystem to accelerate and de-risk future capabilities. Here Thomas Rooney, Technical Sales Manager and Jonathan Davies, Chief Scientist, at Sonardyne consider the options.
UK to purchase at least 74 F-35 jets
It was revealed yesterday that the MoD is in negotiations with the F-35 Joint Project Office to buy another tranche of F-35 jets. This second batch will consist of 26 aircraft, in addition to the 48 already under contract.
No additional resources for the Royal Navy’s contribution to the ‘High North strategy’
On 29th March the MoD published a new document ‘The UK’s Defence Contribution in the High North’. Here we look at the strategy and the contribution that the RN is expected to make in support of UK Arctic interests.
HMS Talent retired. Royal Navy down to just 5 attack submarines
Reliable sources say that HMS Talent is being prepared for disposal with a formal decommissioning ceremony planned for sometime in May. This leaves the RN down to just 5 SSNs in service for at least the next year or more.
Russian cruiser Moskva sunk in the Black Sea – assessing the implications
On 13 April, Ukrainian sources say they struck the Russian cruiser RFS Moskva with two Neptune anti-ship missiles in the Black Sea. The Russian Ministry of Defense subsequently admitted there was a fire on board, crew being evacuated and ultimately the ship had sunk under tow. Here we look at the background and implications of […]
Can the UK supply anti-ship missiles to Ukraine?
The UK government says it will send further lethal aid to help defend Ukraine from invasion. Various media reports also say Britain will send anti-ship missiles, including the venerable Harpoon system. Here we consider how realistic that may be and other options to hold the Russian navy at risk in the Black Sea.
Upgrading the Royal Navy’s Type 45 Destroyers
The Type 45 Destroyer is the Royal Navy’s primary Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) vessel. Other than the propulsion issues discussed in depth elsewhere, this article documents what has already been done to upgrade the class and the potential improvements to be applied later in their service lives.
