Presented at the Euronaval naval technology event in October 2018, Thales' new generation of SonoFlash sonoboards was chosen by the French navy and will allow the country to reach its strategic capacity goal for acoustic sensors.

The threat posed by submarines evolves rapidly. Three decades ago, only the superpowers had real submarine warfare capability, but now several countries employ modern submarine fleets. At the same time, the armed forces are increasingly operating in coastal waters, which are much more complex for sonar systems, unlike what happens in the relative certainty of open sea environments.

In response to this growing threat environment, Thales developed the SonoFlash buoy , a new generation of sonoboards with an unmatched performance-mass ratio, which draws on decades of experience in sonar and acoustic sensors to offer an innovative and ambitious solution.

Its design and advanced technology include several important features for unrivaled performance. Current sonoboys are either passive or active. In contrast, SonoFlash offers the best of both modes, by combining a powerful and optimized low frequency transmitter with a passive receiver with high directivity. These two features added to the additional advantage of long resistance, the Thales buoy is suitable for a wide range of usage scenarios.

Fully compatible with other Thales sonar families, SonoFlash offers high tactical flexibility and opens up promising new opportunities for multistatic operations. When coupled to the FLASH immersion sonar , for example, it allows an aircraft to expand its coverage area and respond more quickly to the evasive maneuvers of a submarine. Thanks to its digitized signal and optimized communication range, SonoFlash data can be readily explored by any piloted or remotely piloted aircraft, naval vessel or control center located on the coast equipped with a system for processing sound waves.

The French Navy will be the first operational user of the SonoFlash buoy , used by the Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft and NH90 Caiman tactical transport helicopters . The equipment will be delivered from 2025 onwards and will be available in export markets to equip all modern marine patrol aircraft and helicopters, as well as all types of unmanned platforms, including unmanned surface vehicles and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicle). ) with rotating, rotating and fixed wings equipped with an appropriate multi-sounder dispenser.

Made in France with a network of SMEs, such as TELERAD, SelhaGroup and Realmeca, SonoFlash relies on Thales' experience in acoustic sensor technology to contribute to the country's desire for independence in strategic industries.

“ Thales has accumulated 10 years of innovation in hardware and digital technologies in a tube that measures 91.4 cm in length and 12.3 cm in diameter. The SonoFlash extends the reach of antissubmarina war operations of a naval force, surpassing all other sonobuoy in the market today and offering a versatile and easy to deploy for tracking submarines of any piloted aircraft or remotely piloted, frigate or vehicle unmanned surface. We are very grateful to the DGA and the French Navy for the confidence they have placed in our company and we are delighted to be working with French partner SMEs to bring this project to a successful conclusion and restore France's sovereign capacity in sonoboys. "Alexis Morel, Vice President of Underwater Systems at Thales.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in high technology that invests in digital innovations and essential technologies - connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum technology - to build a future that we can all trust and that is vital for the development of our society. The company offers solutions, services and products that help its customers - companies, organizations and nations - to overcome their challenges in the defense, aeronautics, space, transport and digital identity and security markets, always having people in charge of the decision-making process .

With 81,000 employees in 68 countries, Thales had a turnover of € 17 billion in 2020.

The original language text of this advertisement is the official authorized version. Translations are provided as a convenience only and should refer to the text in the original language, which is the only version of the text that has a legal effect.

Contacts
Thales, Relations with the Media
Land and Naval Defense
Faïza Zaroual
+33 (0) 7 64 25 99 31
faiza.zaroual@thalesgroup.com

 

Source: businesswire.com

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