BAE Systems has secured a $76 million contract to develop a Sting Ray Mod 2 lightweight torpedo design for the U.K. Ministry of Defence.
In a notice, the ministry said the agreement supports a four-year evaluation effort to update the Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedo system that the British military currently uses.
The latest defense investment aligns with the $1.3 billion Sting Ray Mid Life Upgrade program that runs for 10 years, Breaking Defense reported.
The weapon system’s first version is designed to neutralize submarines operating in shallow littoral waters. According to BAE, the Sting Ray Mod 1 is capable of detecting, classifying and attacking targets autonomously.
At present, the torpedo system is in the inventory of the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the Norwegian Armed Forces.
The Sting Ray Mod 2 assessment phase is expected to improve the system’s acoustic and tactical software to boost its ability to counter evolving threats posed by modern submarines, the UK Defence Journal said.
In a 2023 statement, BAE noted that the torpedo upgrade program will further strengthen the United Kingdom’s anti-submarine capabilities.