Ultra will continue to provide the EO tracking system for the UK Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, after the MoD approved a three-year contract with a potential two-year extension.
The EO tracking system is part of Babcock’s Gun System Automation (GSA) 9.
Mike Williams, Managing Director of Ultra CSS, said: ‘Ultra is pleased to be engaged with Babcock in supporting this important frontline system and looks forward to delivering high levels of availability and service throughout the contract.’
The system provides high-resolution video performance with automation options that require minimal operator intervention, which simplifies operation in ISR, detection, acquisition and tracking of enemy targets.
The USN’s Virginia-class SSNs are replacing the old Los Angeles-class SSNs. The Virginia-class SSNs are fitted with the latest sensors and weapons and around 48 submarines are planned, with a total of 38 currently ordered.
VARD and Fincantieri’s announcement to launch the VARD Resilience series came only weeks after Norway’s new long-term 2025–36 defence plan.
Under Project Land 8710 Phase 2, Australia has been seeking to acquire an undisclosed number of Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels to replace the Balikpapan-class. The programme has an estimated value of AU$1.4 billion (US$910 million), with IOC slated for 2032.
The Royal Navy’s Type-23 Duke-class frigates for the UK Royal Navy were designed as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships but now have a multi-role function. Of the 16 Type 23s built, 12 remain in service with the Royal Navy and will be replaced by the Type-26 frigates before 2035.
The work took place under the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT), which has been a collaboration between Austal, Greenroom Robotics, the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre and the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Warfare Innovation Navy Branch.
The era of southeast Asian submarine modernisation has been in full swing fuelled by growing tensions in the South China Sea.
Connect with us on socials
