British firm Magtec has won funding from the U.K. Ministry of Defence to develop revolutionary stealthy Permanent Magnet Motors (PMM) for 26 Royal Navy submarines.
The Rotherham-based SME has secured a grant via the MoD’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), which is running an initiative called the Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP).
Under the DTEP programme, Magtec will receive a government grant worth 50 percent of the project value. It will be partnering with Scottish engineering company MacTaggart Scott to develop the PMM motors.
As per a Magtec press statement: Stealth is the backbone of modern naval warfare. A submarine’s ability to remain undetected determines its effectiveness in surveillance, deterrence, and combat.
Traditional propulsion systems generate noise and heat signatures that can be tracked by enemy forces. Magtec’s next-generation Permanent Magnet Motor technology will virtually eliminate these vulnerabilities, giving U.K. submarines an unrivaled tactical advantage.
The firm described the project as a world-first in nuclear submarine propulsion. Its Chief Technical Officer Marcus Jenkins noted: This isn’t just an improvement it’s a complete shift in how submarines will operate.
Our Permanent Magnet Motors will deliver unmatched power and efficiency while slashing weight, noise, and maintenance needs. This is a monumental advancement in defence technology.
Managing Director Andy Gilligan added: Magtec has always been at the forefront of electrification, and this project is proof of our ability to deliver world-class defence solutions.
The technology we’re developing will provide the Royal Navy with an operational advantage that was once thought impossible.
- You can read more details on the Magtec website and the DASA website
