Norco Supports Royal Navy Minehunting Trials

Norco has contributed composite structures to three vessels at the centre of a significant Royal Navy milestone, as the UK’s autonomous minehunting capability moves closer to operational deployment in the Strait of Hormuz.

RNMB Ariadne, a 12-metre Unmanned Surface Vehicle developed by Thales and L3Harris ASV (UK), has successfully docked aboard RFA Lyme Bay for the first time following extensive operational trials in the waters off Portland, Dorset. The docking, carried out in the waters off Gibraltar, marks a key step towards a proposed multinational mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz and safeguard freedom of navigation in the critical waterway.

Ariadne is equipped with the Thales TSAM system, one of the world’s most sophisticated towed sonars, and is designed to detect and neutralise sea mines without personnel entering minefields. Norco manufactured the mould tools and composite structure for Ariadne, contracted by L3Harris ASV (UK) to support the development of the platform during its early stages.

The same operational trials also featured HMS Magpie, whose recent seabed survey provided the target against which Ariadne’s sonar accuracy was tested. Norco manufactured composite mouldings for the survey elements and module aboard HMS Magpie as part of the Ministry of Defence SEA-class workboat programme, delivered in partnership with TKMS Atlas Elektronik UK. The SEA-class vessels are modular multi-role platforms supporting a range of naval operations including hydrographic surveying, diving support, explosive ordnance disposal and Arctic operations.

Also present during the operation was HMS Cutlass, a Fast Patrol Craft for which Norco manufactured the complete composite structure, including hull, deck and wheelhouse. HMS Cutlass was built for the Gibraltar Squadron as part of a £9.9 million Ministry of Defence contract awarded to Marine Specialised Technology (MST), replacing the Squadron’s previous Fast Patrol Craft. Norco was selected by MST as their primary composite supplier on the project, building on a successful prior working relationship.

Mark Northey, Managing Director of Norco, said:

“It’s genuinely pleasing to see three vessels we’ve contributed to playing active roles in the same Royal Navy programme. From the mould tools and composite structures on Ariadne, to the survey components aboard HMS Magpie, and the complete structure of HMS Cutlass, each project presented its own manufacturing challenges. Seeing systems built here in the UK now being tested ahead of potential operational deployment is something the whole team can be proud of.”