Dreadnought sonar system contract won by Thales
NewsMarch 04, 2020
UNITED KINGDOM. BAE Systems Submarines, which is building four nuclear submarines for the Royal Navy, has awarded a contract to Thales U.K. for the development of the Dreadnought sonar system.
The Dreadnought sonar system will be developed at the global technology firm’s sites in Templecombe, Somerset, and Stockport. The periscope — known as the Combat System Mast — will be developed and manufactured in Govan with technical input from the workforce in Crawley. Thales U.K. has been a Continuous at-Sea Deterrence (CASD) partner with the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy since the first operation in 1969.
The fleet will also be equipped with Thales Sonar 2076; providing them with acoustic detection capability. The visual and situational awareness sensor will combine electronic warfare technology with cameras to provide the Dreadnought crew with a visual link to the sea surface.
According to the company, the next-generation Dreadnought submarines will be the Royal Navy’s most advanced submarines when they enter service in the early 2030s and will play a role in providing the U.K.’s nuclear deterrent, as they replace the Vanguard class of ballistic missile submarines.
