The Royal Navy warship HMS Sutherland is trialling her world class kit after renewing it during the ship’s refit at Plymouth.
The latest to be tested were her non-operational anti-submarine torpedoes which fire into the water from the side of the ship at sea in UK waters. The torpedoes are one of several lines of defence against underwater threats.
As pictured, the Sting Ray torpedo thrusts out of the tube using high-pressure air. Then a small parachute deploys to slow its decent into the ocean. Although the torpedo used by HMS Sutherland was a trials variant, the real thing normally carries a 1000lb explosive charge, and is powered underwater at more than 50mph towards enemy submarines.
One of the ship’s crew Engineering Technician (Weapon Engineering) Nathan Bainbridge, who has been working on the torpedo system, said: “It was great to see all our hard work pay off. We’ve been preparing for this trial for a long time and to have the torpedo launch like that was fantastic. It makes it all worthwhile!”
HMS Sutherland, based in HM Naval Base, Devonport, Plymouth, continues through her sea trials, ensuring all her equipment is at peak operating performance prior to re-joining the rest of the fleet.
