AEUK wins underwater countermeasures research contract

Atlas Elektronik UK (AEUK) will conduct underwater defensive aids research under a new three-year £3.5 million contract with UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) agency, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), announced on 3 November.

AEUK will lead a team to provide underwater countermeasure advice, modelling and advanced concepts as part of research into equipping UK surface ships and submarines with a future torpedo counter-measures system.

The research programme will be performed in two stages: an initial requirements, performance assessment and concept definition phase; followed by in-water demonstrations of key aspects of the surface ship concept solution. Together they will provide the MoD with a firm footing for future countermeasure system development

AEUK will be supported by partners BAE Systems, Babcock Defence Systems Technology, BMT Defence Services and Ultra Electronics Sonar Systems for the work.

Paul Beattie, naval systems department, Dstl, said: ‘The research to be conducted by the industry consortium led by AEUK will provide the MoD with concepts and solutions to protect UK naval platforms against the threat posed by torpedoes. The bid pulled together a strong team from across the breadth of UK industry which we are sure will deliver innovative thinking rooted in sound engineering practice.’

Antoni Mazur, managing director, AEUK, added: ‘Winning this multi-million pound contract is another significant milestone for AEUK, this will ensure we continue to be at the forefront of torpedo defence system development.’