New jobs created in Dorset by 25 million pound naval contract
The new automated mine-sweeping drones for naval operations are being designed at Dorset Innovation Park
A new £25m Royal Navy contract’s being taken up by a firm based at Dorset’s Innovation Park.
Atlas Elektronik UK, based in Winfrith Newburgh, will create three ‘first-of-their-kind’ autonomous minesweepers. The project will bring 25 new, local jobs and a further 48 in the supply chain.
Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset is welcoming the news as an investment for Dorset. He said:
“This extraordinary new technology from Atlas Elektronik involves a rapid deployment, drone surface vessel towing a sensor unit behind it. Using magnetic, acoustic and electric technology, the unit identifies and neutralises modern and smarter, digital sea mines. The whole thing is controlled remotely by a portable command centre, based at sea or land.”
“It is the kind of world class innovation we have come to expect from Atlas Elektronik and I am delighted that their UK base is here in South Dorset, where the Technology Park continues to go from strength to strength.”
The Combined Influence Minesweeping ‘SWEEP’ autonomous minehunters, created to detect and destroy sea mines on dangerous naval operations, will be designed by Atlas Elektronik UK at Dorset Green Technology Centre in Winfrith Newburgh.
As the Royal Navy’s first, un-crewed minesweeper, SWEEP will allow naval personnel to neutralise mines from a safe distance at sea while on operations worldwide.
The first SWEEP system will be delivered in late 2022 for operational evaluation before service.