Breaking news
Royal Navy's Type 26 Frigates to Be Fitted With Thales CAPTAS-4 Sonar 2087 Variable Depth Sonar.
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Reeling system for the CAPTAS-4 Variable Depth Sonar tether aboard a French Navy FREMM Frigate (Aquitaine class).
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The Type 26 will be capable of undertaking a range of roles from anti-submarine warfare operations and humanitarian assistance. The programme is set to continue into 2026 with a five further ships anticipated to be built.
Thales is the current provider of anti-submarine sonar to the serving Type 23 frigate fleet. This latest announcement firmly establishes Thales’ position as the key sensor provider to the Royal Navy across its sonar, electronic warfare, optronics and communications capabilities. This allows Thales to leverage common technologies and architecture to provide benefits across all Defence Lines of Development. |
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The Type 26 will replace the UK’s Type 23 frigates, with the first set to enter service in the early 2020s and the last remaining in service beyond the middle of the century. BAE Systems image.
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CAPTAS-4 / Sonar 2087 is a sophisticated towed array system, which enables warships to hunt submarines at considerable distances and detect them beyond the range from which they can launch an attack.
The Royal Navy currently operates its Type 23 frigates with Merlin helicopters fitted with Thales FLASH-dipping sonar which can be used to pinpoint the submarine from the air. The Navy has described the combination of 2087 and FLASH as ‘world beating’. |
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