Thales unveils new minehunting Sonar

Thales has launched an upgrade to its unique variable depth minehunting sonar with wideband technology, to improve operational performance, operability and support.

Key points

• Designed to counter the threat of modern mines in both deep and shallow water.
• The wideband capability allows the Sonar 2093 to perform the same extensive deep water performance previously only seen in shallow water.
• The pulse compression technology allows long range detection and classification of new generation low target strength mines.

Sonar 2093 is a multi-frequency variable depth sonar system designed to counter the threat of modern mines in both deep and shallow water, and is used by navies worldwide in demanding operational conditions.

The upgrade will be fitted to all Royal Navy (RN) Sandown-class minehunters, in a 60-month programme, to enhance system performance against low target strength mines. Thales will have the responsibility for the design, manufacture, and fitting of the equipment modification to introduce wideband technology into Sonar 2093.

Thales has successfully evolved the technology from the world renowned 2193 Hull Mounted Sonar. The wideband capability allows the Sonar 2093 to perform the same extensive deep water performance previously only seen in shallow water. It can be offered as a new system or an upgrade for navies around the world.

“Thales is leading the way against the modern mine threat, and this exciting product improvement provides our customers with the opportunity to upgrade their existing 2093 systems or invest in new systems with the advantages of improved operational performance, improved operability and improved supportability.”

Jeremy Standen, VP of Maritime Mission Systems in the UK

The introduction of wideband provides improved mine countermeasures in environments where previously performance was unattainable. The pulse compression technology allows long range detection and classification of new generation low target strength mines, by optimising performance against reverberation and noise simultaneously. Wideband transducer arrays also allow maximum performance from the use of the highest bandwidth-time product available.