royal navy launches tomahawk

21 November 1998

Today the Royal Navy achieved successful launch of its Tomahawk cruise missiles on schedule. The first live missiles were fired from Swiftsure Class submarine, HMS Splendid, at a test range off the Californian coast. The live firing signifies completion of an extensive programme of proving trials to ready the Swiftsure Class for the introduction of Tomahawk into service.

In a successful defence programme, Prime Contractor, Lockheed Martin Federal Systems – Manassas and its UK Subcontractors completed the complex weapon systems integration on time against a schedule brought forward three months by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The Royal Navy Tomahawk Integration contract provides for the modification of three Swiftsure and Trafalgar Class submarines and complete Modification kits for four more. The contract also includes the upgrade of Command Team Trainers for training Royal Navy personnel in the Tomahawk weapon control system, and in Submarine School to provide maintenance training.

Nearly half the value of the contract is placed with UK Subcontractors, including Ultra Electronics, VSEL, Strachan and Henshaw and GEC Marconi Radar Defence Systems. The Subcontract management function was carried out by Portsmouth based Lockheed Martin UK Government Systems.

“This programme’s success is further proof of our capability to facilitate Prime Contractorship working with our US companies and illustrates the success of our partnership commitment with UK companies”, commented Keith Robinson, Managing Director of Lockheed Martin UK Government Systems.

The Ministry of Defence awarded the contract to Lockheed Martin in October 1995. Following successful completion of the Trials programme on HMS Splendid, the programme focus switches to the first ‘T’ Class installation.