Marshall has been awarded a contract to produce composite torpedo launcher tubes for SEA, part of Cohort PLC, to support two major international naval vessel programmes.
The production will run from 2024 to 2026, with Marshall manufacturing and delivering composite torpedo launcher tubes and associated equipment for integration into SEA’s Torpedo Launcher Systems.
Colin Jones, Head of Sales – Advanced Composites at Marshall, commented, “Building on a decades-long relationship with SEA, this contract will see Marshall proudly continue to manufacture durable, composite launch tubes to deploy NATO standard torpedoes. It’s another significant win for Marshall, which sees us utilising our expertise to provide a crucial capability for our customers.”
The torpedo launcher tubes, produced at Marshall’s composites facility in North Yorkshire, are designed with a filament-wound GRP structure that offers a lightweight and corrosion-resistant solution.
These tubes are robust enough to endure the harsh environments in which they are deployed and withstand the pressures experienced during launch.
SEA’s intelligent Torpedo Launcher Systems, known for their ease of configuration and adaptability to various naval weapons, are operated by numerous navies worldwide. The systems can accommodate launcher tubes housed internally or mounted above decks, meeting the requirements of ships of different sizes and structures.
Ben Smith, Supply Chain Manager at SEA, said, “As our relationship with Marshall continues to grow, we have been continually impressed by their products and efficiency of their service to enable us to deliver high-quality Torpedo Launcher Systems across the globe.”
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But type 26 won’t have any
Maybe they are for the RAN and RCN versions ? Which is a bit odd as ours is supposed to be the only dedicated ASW version.
I’m sure Admiral Pugwash knows what he is doing !
Understand that corrosion resistance would undoubtedly be beneficial, but weight savings? Are the CG and dynamic stability calculations that close to boundary conditions? Simply curious…🤔
Probably not but it’s a good idea to cut weights on just about anything you can topside in design if you can. It saves weight for future additions (see Halsey Typhoons for example).
The launchers look a bit like the tubes fitted to Burkes, so may not be for domestic purchase.
Add in the “across the globe” stuff and it sounds like this is actually a British defence export
Morning mate.
Read a piece on telegraph online today about Rolls Royce subcontracting work on nuclear submarines to a company who were using staff in Bylorussia! One worker was working from home in Siberia!
MoD were investigating in 2021.
Your view as the RR SME?
Just found the article now and I think it is worth clarifying that this was a new Intranet for Rolls Royce Submarines and not work on actually Submarines. A Rolls-Royce spokesman said: “We can categorically state that at no point was there any risk of data, classified or otherwise, being accessed or made available to non-security cleared individuals. It is not possible for non-security cleared individuals to access any sensitive data via our company intranet. It is used to provide business updates, wellbeing support and a channel for collaboration between our colleagues.” While this is no doubt a security risk… Read more »
so pretty much a sensationalist headline, that turns out to be a non story when you read the whole article. sound about right for most things these days
Sadly the Telegraph is particularly prone to this at the mo…their reporting on the Tempest program has just been scaremongering of the highest order…
Sorry for delay but just got back from a short break with Mrs to Cambridge (National Trust and IWM at Duxford) so playing catch up.
Just read the article myself and I can’t add anything to what RW has said he’s already nailed it. 😉
Unless they plan to put them in mission bay containers so they can be removed when not needed.
No idea but I do struggle to understand why nearly every other country mount AS tubes on their Frigates and Destroyers but RN hasn’t since T23. So :- RN T45 doesn’t but Italian and French Horizons have twin tubes. RN T26 doesn’t, but RCN and RAN versions will have twin tubes. RN T31 doesn’t, but the Polish, Indonesian and original IH all have twin tubes. It’s just the same with Carriers, China, Russia, India, Italy, Japan, France and USN all mount some form of SAM on their carriers. But the QE class nope !l My conclusion is there are 3… Read more »
Yes, it’s bonkers thinking. Even as a back up to helo, drones of vls launched torpedoes and its a British manufacturer! Extra CIWS/ 30mm and maybe SeaRam with a UK missile on the carriers. We wish for! Dragonfire might be in the pipeline, who knows. Hopefully someone sees sense with this stuff soon or at least explain their thinking as frankly we’re baffled.
T45 shouldn’t ever be hunting subs. T26 yes without a doubt. Some sort of ASROC (not mk54) but anyway. Then helo, then drone then on board torps for that “close encounter”. It would kill the budget to have a twin launcher on one side of T26 with 3 reloads.
Would or would not kill the budget? 🤔
Same can be said for the Horizons, they are also dedicated AAW ships but the have 2 per side.
To be perfectly honest as a dedicated AAW ship I’d have thought it made more sense to add the tubes for self defence and ditch the hanger for extra VLS 🤷🏼♂️
But fact is we don’t fit some things that everyone else does. £££’s saved is the only logical reason.
We’ve had an insane perverse fetish for playing Russian roulette leaving essential, basic kit off our warships. One day it’ll bite us on our backside & good servicemen & women will pay in blood.
Reckless criminal neglect.
Nor will the T31.
Plenty of space in the mission bay under the flight deck to fit a pair of these port and starboard plus space for reloads too . Also a CAPTAS type TAS .
In the absence of any asroc vls and if a helo/drone is not available it seems to be ridiculous skimping.