Thales Glasgow wins £169m contract to build periscopes for Royal Navy’s Dreadnought submarines | UK News

A £169m contract to assist construct the UK’s new class of nuclear deterrent submarine will help greater than 150 jobs in Scotland.

Thales Glasgow is to proceed its 106-year custom of creating periscopes for Royal Navy submarines and has been tasked to ship a multi-sensor fight system mast for the Dreadnought vessels.

The periscopes – which break the floor whereas the boat stays under the water and permit crew to watch, talk and navigate – will mix for the first-time visible sensors, digital radar, threat-sensing digital warfare gear and communications capabilities.

They may also present improved television-quality visuals.

The agency mentioned the contract will maintain greater than 150 highly-skilled engineering and help jobs throughout the UK, however primarily centered at its website in Glasgow’s Govan.

Each Royal Navy submarine in service since 1917 has been fitted with a periscope or optronics mast manufactured by Thales at its website on the River Clyde.

The Dreadnought submarines will finally exchange the Vanguard-class vessels that presently perform the Royal Navy’s steady at sea deterrent (CASD) operations.

Thales is already on contract to construct the ultra-powerful Sonar 2076 system for the Dreadnought, which suggests will probably be offering the vessel’s “eyes and ears” behind the platform’s operational functionality.

Learn extra:
Royal Navy boss reveals fears over staffing of UK’s nuclear deterrent
Royal Navy recruitment fall ‘could hamper ability to crew nuclear deterrent unless fixed’

Thales – which has supplied maritime sensors and techniques to greater than 50 navies world wide – was awarded the contract from BAE Systems Submarines.

Alex Cresswell, CEO of Thales within the UK, mentioned: “We’re extraordinarily proud to say that our fight system mast and sonar will probably be offering the eyes and ears capabilities of the brand new Dreadnought class.

“The boat construct, led by BAE Programs and companions, will probably be one other milestone showcase of UK engineering expertise and innovation.

“It’s an extremely thrilling time for the submarine service and its contribution to international safety with the construct of the Dreadnought class and as we glance to the event of the AUKUS submarine programme that may ship a future functionality for Australia and the UK.”