RAF's P-8 Poseidon fleet to be armed with highly capable Sting Ray torpedoes
The Royal Air Force's P-8 Poseidon aircraft will soon be armed with new Sting Ray torpedoes, a type that is currently being used by the Royal Navy.
Sting Ray Mod 1 is an air-launched Anti-Submarine Warfare lightweight torpedo that can be fired from frigates, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft to counter enemy submarines.
"The use of Sting Ray and Mk54 torpedoes gives the UK Poseidon fleet flexibility and interoperability with our allies," said Group Captain Richard Osselton of the Poseidon Futures Programme.
The Ministry of Defence chose the UK-manufactured Sting Ray Torpedo as its future torpedo capability alongside the continued use of the United States Navy's Mk54 weapon on the RAF's Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
RAF's P-8 Poseidon is a multi-role maritime patrol aircraft, equipped with sensors and weapons systems for anti-submarine and surface warfare, as well as surveillance and search and rescue missions.
Sting Ray Mod 1
In service with the Royal Navy, Sting Ray Mod 1 is capable of integration into surface and air platform mission systems.
It has an acoustic homing system and a highly accurate navigation system, allowing the torpedo to detect, classify and attack targets autonomously.
It has low through-life costs and requires no intrusive maintenance throughout its service life.
The RAF said of the torpedo: "The enhanced Mod 1 weapon sustains Sting Ray's position as the world's premier lightweight, autonomous underwater weapon for decades to come."
It added: "Sting Ray Mod 1 was designed to defeat the dual threats of fast, deep-diving double-hulled submarines operating in the oceanic environment and the quiet, conventional submarine in coastal waters.
"The enhanced performance of Sting Ray Mod 1 is underpinned by the development of new acoustic and tactical software, drawing on knowledge gained from extensive in-water trials with the Mod 0 weapon."
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
