Thales to equip F110 frigate with Tuum-6 underwater communication system.

According to a press release published by Thales on June 16, 2021, the firm has started production of the TUUM-6 underwater communication system, one of the components of the Group’s integrated suite of sonars and acoustic systems, in Spain. According to the contract signed in December 2019, Thales will provide the system for the Spanish navy’s five new F110 frigates.
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F-110 Frigate scale model on display at SNA 2017 (Picture source: Navyrecognition)

Charged with supplying the TUUM-6 underwater digital communication system, Thales’ Spanish industrial subsidiary has begun to produce the underwater telephone with which the company has become the benchmark in the naval sector at the international level. Thanks to this development, the Spanish navy will be equipped with an underwater communication capacity produced in Spain for its new F110 frigates.

The contract, the transfer of know-how from the parent company and the start-up of production of the TUUM-6 represent a milestone in the history of Thales and represent a clear demonstration of the company's commitment to increasing industrial production in Spain. So, it provides the country with new industrial capacities in the near future, with all that this implies for the Spanish labour market and industrial fabric.

TUUM-6 production start-up will also directly affect the Thales Production and Maintenance Centre in Leganés, Madrid, which is currently in the process of transformation to industry 4.0 capability. The facility could become the production core for exportable communications systems around the world over the next few years.

The TUUM-6 is the first naval system produced at Thales Leganés, where it complements the current production of the DKU aeronautical unit for NH-90 helicopters and various military radio communications devices for the Army.

The F110 class also known as the Bonifaz class is a multi-purpose, anti-submarine class of Aegis combat system-fitted heavy frigates under development for the Spanish Navy. The project is being co-developed by the Spanish Ministry of Defence and the state-owned company Navantia. The construction of the frigates is to begin by 2020 and is scheduled to be delivered between 2023 and 2027.

The frigates will be equipped with a Spanish combat system, SCOMBA, developed by Navantia. This system acts as the vessel’s brain and integrates all the frigate’s sensors and weapons, such as surface sensors, EW and IFF supplied by Indra, Band S radar and Lockheed Martin vertical launcher, AAW – SM-2 from Raytheon, the antisubmarine warfare systems and SAES sonars but also the navigation and communications systems from Navantia Sistemas.