SEA was awarded the Innovation & Technology Award in recognition of its industry-leading maritime defence technology, Ancilia. Developed at SEA’s North Devon manufacturing facility, Ancilia is a highly modular and trainable decoy launcher designed to provide rapid and flexible protection against evolving threats at sea, including ballistic missiles and torpedoes. Its innovative approach allows for swift deployment of decoys in under three seconds, eliminating the need for vessel manoeuvring and delivering a step change in naval defence capability.
The project combined in-house expertise with external collaboration - including with SEA’s sister company Chess Dynamics - and was guided by a strategic roadmap addressing customer needs and future defence challenges. Ancilia’s success has already secured a £135 million UK Royal Navy contract and generated hundreds of millions in export opportunities.
Richard Flitton, Managing Director of SEA said: “Winning the Innovation and Technology Award is a real testament to the ingenuity and commitment of our team at SEA. Ancilia showcases what’s possible when cutting-edge technology meets regional excellence and this recognition highlights the global impact of innovation being developed in the South West.”
The development of Ancilia has also spurred wider organisational growth - prompting expansion of SEA’s Barnstaple facility, creating and securing over 120 roles, and earning industry accolades including a Make UK Innovation Award. Ancilia is now a flagship product, reinforcing SEA’s role as a trusted, agile innovator in the global defence sector.
