Ultra's Staffordshire factory wins £37m hybrid submarine power deal
The Rugeley factory of a major defence technology group has won a £37 million order for a new hybrid electric propulsion system for UK submarines.
Ultra Electronics employs around 250 people at the 50,000 sq ft site of its PMES business on the Towers Business Park, specialising in high-tech power controls and sensors.
PMES has now been awarded a £37m contract by BAE Systems Maritime-Submarines to complete development and start production of a hybrid electric propulsion system for a UK naval defence programme.
Security means few details of the project are being released but the hybrid system is intended to provide an alternate and more efficient propulsion option to submarine main engines and forms part of the emergency propulsion capability.
Ultra says its hybrid system uses 'spare' electrical power generated onboard to allow a vessel to cruise, improving fuel economy.
Rakesh Sharma, chief executive of Ultra, said: "We are pleased by this contract as it showcases our specialist technology which has received company funded research and development for many years and reinforces our position as a leading provider of submarine propulsion technology. We are also pleased to be further developing our relationship with BAE Systems."
It is not known what submarines the new system would be used on; BAE is currently working on the Royal Navy’s Astute Class nuclear submarine programme and designing the new subs that will carry the UK’s nuclear deterrent, known as the Successor programme.
