Thales to support German Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability equipping NH90 Multi Role Frigate Helicopter with FLASH SONICS Sonars

• The German ministry of Defence (a member of NAHEMA*) selected Thales to equip NH90 Multi Role Frigate Helicopter with FLASH SONICS dipping sonar and sonobuoy processing systems.
• With more than 500 FLASH-based systems ordered or in service today in navies, this innovative Thales solution offers unmatched performance in deep and shallow waters.
• The new configuration of the NH90 Multi Role Frigate Helicopter variant includes the latest processing technology which offers significant operational improvement. This will be the first helicopter in the world to have the capability to process Thales new sonobuoy SonoFlash in addition to the FLASH world reference dipping sonar. ​

For the first time, the German Navy will rely on Thales to equip its NH90 Multi Role Frigate Helicopter (MRFH) with FLASH SONICS. The FLASH system (Folding Light Acoustic System for Helicopters) is currently the leading dipping sonar on the international market and has become the benchmark system for the world's major navies.

In a world where Navies are facing growing and sometimes unexpected threats and challenges, Anti-Submarine Warfare is resurging as a key discipline for the 21st century and Thales FLASH dipping sonar product range offers the best solutions to ensure Navies effectiveness and safety at sea.

The key benefits of this low-frequency wideband sonar include long-range detection and low false alarm rates in open ocean as well as littoral waters. Associated with an active and passive sonobuoy processing system, FLASH provides an unrivalled anti-submarine warfare capability. The shortest dive cycle time, combined with the latest Thales BlueTracker (SONICS) buoy processing capability, provides unmatched area coverage. This version of the FLASH SONICS includes the latest technology available.

Already ordered or in service today in 18 navies including US Navy, the UK Royal Navy, the French Navy, the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Norwegian Navy or the Republic Of Korea Navy, FLASH has demonstrated its unrivalled capabilities and reliability at sea in any environment.

"We are proud to have been selected by the German Navy and NHIndustries to equip their NH90 Multi Role Frigate Helicopter with our FLASH SONICS anti-submarine solutions. This is the result of many years of hard work to meet our customers' requirements and provide them with a trusted solution that meets their needs. The German Navy will receive the most capable variant of FLASH SONICS that Thales has ever delivered, for the best operational service, including the SonoFlash processing." said Gwendoline Blandin-Roger, Managing director Underwater systems, Thales

*NAHEMA: NATO Helicopter Management Agency