Thales Glasgow wins £169m contract to construct periscopes for Royal Navy’s Dreadnought submarines

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 constructing 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 look at, talk and navigate – will mix for the first-time visible sensors, digital radar, threat-sensing digital warfare gear and communications capabilities.

They may even present improved television-quality visuals.

The agency stated 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.

Every 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 ultimately exchange the Vanguard-class vessels that at present 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.

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Thales – which has offered maritime sensors and methods to greater than 50 navies all over the world – was awarded the contract from BAE Systems Submarines.

Alex Cresswell, CEO of Thales within the UK, stated: “We are extremely proud to say that our combat system mast and sonar will be providing the eyes and ears capabilities of the new Dreadnought class.

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

“It is an incredibly exciting time for the submarine service and its contribution to global security with the build of the Dreadnought class and as we look to the development of the AUKUS submarine programme that will deliver a future capability for Australia and the UK.”