NAVY'S NEW MINE-HUNTER SONAR THE MOST AVANCED IN THE WORLD

26 Mar 2004 03:15 PM

The most advanced mine-detecting sonar in the world, capable of detecting and classifying an object the size of a football at up to 1000 metres, has entered service with the British Navy on time and on budget.

Sonar 2193 will improve the ability of Britain's Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels to detect both traditional maritime mines and the new stealthy mines that could pose a threat in international waters.

It uses advanced wide-band technology, which by emitting an acoustic signal containing a wide range of frequencies (rather than the one frequency used in conventional sonar) greatly increases the range and accuracy at which mines can be detected. The new system entered service on HMS Hurworth on 17 March 2004.

Defence Procurement Minister Lord Bach said:

'This is a superb UK-developed piece of technology which will help make the world's oceans a safer place. The Royal Navy's Mine Countermeasures Vessels have an exemplary record and the role they played in Allied Operations in the Gulf last year was crucial.

'This sonar will ensure our Fleet stay ahead of the threat and is capable of dealing with the new stealthy mines that are finding their way into other Navy's inventories.'

Sonar 2193 will be installed on eight Hunt Class Mine Countermeasure Vessels, together with Nautis 3, a new command and control system.

Designed and manufactured by Thales Underwater Systems UK, production of the new sonar has secured 100 jobs at Templecombe, Somerset.

Notes to editors 1. HMS Hurworth is the first of eight Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels to receive Sonar 2193. All vessels will be equipped with Sonar 2193 by April 2005.

2. Nautis 3 is a military off-the-shelf command system, which was originally developed for the Turkish Navy. It incorporates high speed processing of ships sensors in a window type environment making it more user friendly and ergonomic that the system it replaces.

3. The 52 million contract to develop and manufacture Sonar 2193 and procure Nautis 3 was awarded to Thales Underwater Systems Ltd. in April 2001.