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Ultra Electronics announces that its Sonar Systems business, based in Greenford, Middlesex, has been awarded a £27m contract for the Royal Navy’s Sonar 2050 Technology Refresh (S2050TR) Program.
Under this contract, which will be executed over the next 10 years, the Group will deliver and support new hull mounted sonars for the Royal Navy’s eight Type-23 frigates. The S2050 Technology Refresh programme will deliver, to the Royal Navy, a world-leading sonar capability providing persistent surveillance against submarine and torpedo threats, at a significantly lower through-life cost. Ultra’s capability in sonar leverages technologies from a number of recent overseas wins. The Group is able to offer this advanced system as a low risk solution to the Royal Navy.
Ultra’s sonar capability incorporates a number of world leading solutions, which will help satisfy the growing global market.
Rakesh Sharma, Chief Executive of Ultra commented:
“I am very pleased that Ultra has been awarded the Sonar 2050 Technology Refresh contract. This is a significant opportunity and it demonstrates Ultra's continuing ability to supply and support cutting edge sonar systems to the Royal Navy. We look forward to working with the DE&S team on this program.”

The first phase of a major overhaul of Portsmouth Naval Base opens today (Wednesday 22 October).

The 15 Dock Centre of Specialisation, for the maintenance of Destroyers and Frigates, features an upgrade to the dock and improved accommodation for staff. It's the first of four new centres within the base for future support to Royal Navy ships for global operations.
It's part of a 15 year programme which includes getting the base ready to house the Royal Navy's two new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers from 2017.
The new facility, opened by Rear Admiral Ian Jess, will be used for the upkeep and maintenance of Type 45 Destroyers and Type 23 Frigates and marks the start of a 15 year transformation programme to modernise Portsmouth Naval Base, including preparations for the Royal Navy’s two new Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers.
The arrival of HMS Queen Elizabeth by early 2017 has provided a catalyst for investment in the infrastructure of Portsmouth Naval Base.  Investment requirements over the next 15 years have been captured within the ‘Portsmouth 2030 Programme’ which details a future vision for Portsmouth Naval Base.
The centres of specialisation have been the product of work undertaken by BAE Systems Maritime Services working in partnership with the Naval Base Command Portsmouth (NBCP) team, to capture infrastructure and facility requirements for both current and future classes of ship.
The new 15 Dock Centre of Specialisation will provide improved accommodation and amenities for Royal Navy and BAE Systems staff, new co-located storage facilities and an upgraded dock, complete with a new mobile harbour crane and a refurbished caisson.  Re-modelling of the facility has also provided the opportunity to reduce Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) risks, by separating staff from plant and machinery, and controlling access to the site during operations.