BAE Systems Wins £60M Contract to Upgrade Royal Navy’s Sting Ray Torpedo

The U.K. Ministry of Defence awarded BAE Systems a £60 million contract to upgrade the Royal Navy's autonomous Sting Ray lightweight torpedo.

The contract outlines a four-year assessment phase during which the weapon system will be enhanced with new technological features.

The project will involve the design and development of upgrades, including the construction of prototypes and conducting in-water trials. The modifications will also introduce additional deployment options to extend the Sting Ray's operational versatility. This upgraded version, known as the Sting Ray Mod 1, is an air-launched, anti-submarine warfare torpedo designed to be deployed from drones, maritime patrol aircraft, and helicopters.

Initially operational in the 1980s, the Sting Ray torpedo has been adapted to counter a range of submarine targets. It has been used by the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force (RAF), and the Norwegian Armed Forces. Recent developments have allowed the torpedo to be deployed from the RAF's P-8 Poseidon aircraft and the Royal Navy's Merlin helicopters.

The RAF has also confirmed the Sting Ray's role in its future torpedo capabilities alongside the U.S. Mk54, as part of its Poseidon aircraft armament.